A 25-year-old woman is complaining of burning and painful urination. The microbiological analysis detects significant bacterial growth only on blood agar and it is without hemolysis. Gram-positive cocci are observed on microscopic slides. Which bacterium is the most probable cause?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is Staphylococcus saprophyticus (choice B). This bacterium is a common cause of urinary tract infections in young women. It typically grows on blood agar without hemolysis and appears as Gram-positive cocci under the microscope. Proteus mirabilis (choice A) is known for urease production, causing alkaline urine. Staphylococcus aureus (choice C) is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections, not urinary tract infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (choice D) is an opportunistic pathogen often seen in nosocomial infections, not typically associated with urinary tract infections in healthy individuals.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacterial ribosomes synthesize proteins. Ribosomes are cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis by translating mRNA into amino acids. They are essential for the production of proteins needed for cell function. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because ribosomes do not synthesize DNA, degrade toxic substances, or assist in cell division. DNA synthesis is carried out by DNA polymerase, degradation of toxic substances is typically done by enzymes, and cell division is primarily regulated by the cell cycle machinery.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Treponema pallidum. This bacterium is responsible for causing syphilis due to its unique spiral shape and ability to penetrate mucous membranes. It is transmitted through sexual contact or from mother to fetus. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydia, and Escherichia coli is a common bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract. Syphilis is distinct due to its characteristic symptoms and stages, making Treponema pallidum the correct choice.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Index of fecal coli-forms. Fecal coli-forms are bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Their presence in water indicates fecal contamination, which is a common source of hepatitis A transmission. Monitoring the index of fecal coli-forms can help identify potential sources of contamination and assess the risk of disease transmission. A: Number of coli-phages - Coli-phages are viruses that infect coliform bacteria and are not directly related to fecal contamination. B: Escherichia coli index - While E. coli is a type of coliform bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, it alone may not be a reliable indicator of fecal contamination in water sources. C: Oxidability - Oxidability is a measure of the water's ability to react with oxygen and does not provide direct information about fecal contamination or the presence of pathogens like hepatitis A. In summary,

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: chloroplasts. Algae and plant cells have chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. This organelle contains chlorophyll, enabling these cells to convert sunlight into energy. Mitochondria (B) are found in all eukaryotic cells, not specific to algae and plants. Vacuoles (C) are present in plant cells but also in other eukaryotic cells. Vesicles (D) are membrane-bound sacs found in all types of cells for transport and storage purposes, not unique to algae and plants. Therefore, A is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Malaria. Fever developing 2 weeks post-blood transfusion is characteristic of malaria due to the incubation period of the parasite. Trypanosomiasis presents earlier, amebiasis usually causes GI symptoms, and toxoplasmosis typically manifests with flu-like symptoms. Malaria is the most likely cause based on the timing and clinical presentation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The bacitracin sensitivity test is used to differentiate between different types of streptococci. Group A streptococci are sensitive to bacitracin, which means they will show inhibition around the bacitracin disk. This sensitivity is a characteristic feature of group A streptococci and helps in their identification. Staphylococci, pneumococci, and intestinal bacteria do not exhibit this sensitivity to bacitracin. Therefore, the correct answer is D: group A streptococci.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Salmonellosis. The description of microorganisms resembling a tennis racket indicates the presence of Salmonella typhi, which causes salmonellosis. Salmonella bacteria can appear like tennis rackets under a microscope due to their flagella. Botulism (A) is caused by Clostridium botulinum, which does not resemble a tennis racket. Cholera (C) is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which appears as curved rods under the microscope. Dysentery (D) is usually caused by bacteria like Shigella or Entamoeba histolytica, which do not resemble tennis rackets.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: autoclaving. Autoclaving is a process that uses high pressure and steam to achieve temperatures above the boiling point of water, typically around 121-134°C. This high heat and pressure are effective in destroying spore forms of microorganisms, which are highly resistant structures that can withstand boiling temperatures. Autoclaving ensures the complete destruction of spores, making it an effective method for sterilization. Rationale: A: Pasteurization uses lower heat compared to autoclaving and is not sufficient to destroy spore forms. C: Freezing does not effectively destroy spore forms, as most microorganisms can survive freezing temperatures. D: Boiling, while effective for many microorganisms, may not be sufficient to destroy spore forms due to their high resistance, unlike autoclaving.