A bacteriological laboratory received sputum sample of a patient suffering from tuberculosis. Bacterioscopic examination of smears and detection of tuberculosis bacillus can be realized by one of enrichment methods that involves processing of sputum only with solution of caustic soda. What is this method called?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inactivation. In this method, the sputum sample is processed with a solution of caustic soda, which helps to kill any contaminants present and preserve the tuberculosis bacillus for microscopic examination. This step is crucial in ensuring accurate detection of the bacillus. A: Homogenization involves breaking down the sample to make it uniform, but it does not necessarily involve using caustic soda for inactivation. C: Flotation is a method used to separate different components based on their density and is not specific to inactivating tuberculosis bacillus. D: Filtration involves passing a sample through a filter to separate particles based on size and is not related to inactivating the tuberculosis bacillus.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The Baltimore classification system categorizes viruses based on their genome type and replication strategy. It divides viruses into seven groups: Group I (dsDNA), Group II (ssDNA), Group III (dsRNA), Group IV (ssRNA(+)), Group V (ssRNA(-)), Group VI (ssRNA-RT), and Group VII (dsDNA-RT). Each group represents a distinct viral genome and replication method. Therefore, the correct answer is C. The other choices are incorrect because the Baltimore classification system specifically identifies viruses into seven groups, not four, five, or nine.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Spleen. The white pulp of the spleen contains lymphocytes that help in immune responses. The red pulp filters blood and removes old or damaged red blood cells. The thymus (A) is responsible for T cell maturation, lymph nodes (B) filter lymph, and lymphoid tissue (D) includes various lymphoid organs but does not specifically refer to the spleen's distinct white and red pulp structure. Thus, the spleen is the only organ among the choices that has both white and red pulp components essential for immune functions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: protein synthesis. Bacterial ribosomes are responsible for translating messenger RNA into proteins through a process called translation. Ribosomes are composed of both protein and RNA molecules and facilitate the binding of transfer RNA to the messenger RNA to assemble the amino acids in the correct order to form a protein. DNA replication (A) is carried out by enzymes such as DNA polymerase, not ribosomes. Cell wall synthesis (C) is a process involving enzymes that build the structure of the cell wall in bacteria. RNA splicing (D) is a eukaryotic process that involves removing introns from pre-mRNA molecules, which is not a function of bacterial ribosomes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Homemade canned meat. Botulism is caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which thrives in low-oxygen environments like improperly canned food. Homemade canned meat poses a higher risk of contamination as it may not have been processed correctly, allowing the bacteria to grow and produce toxins. Custard pastry, sour cream, and strawberries are less likely to cause botulism as they are not typically associated with the bacteria unless improperly handled or stored. Homemade canned meat is the most probable cause based on the characteristic symptoms of botulism and the conditions that favor the growth of Clostridium botulinum in canned food.