A blood culture from a patient with sepsis revealed Gram-negative diplococci. The bacteria were oxidase-positive and fermentative. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisseria meningitidis. Step 1: Gram-negative diplococci - characteristic of Neisseria species. Step 2: Oxidase-positive - Neisseria species are oxidase-positive. Step 3: Fermentative - Neisseria meningitidis is a fermentative bacterium. Therefore, Neisseria meningitidis is the most likely causative agent. Summary: - B: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is also a Neisseria species but is not fermentative. - C: Moraxella catarrhalis is oxidase-positive but not fermentative. - D: Haemophilus influenzae is not a Neisseria species and is not typically fermentative.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Correct Answer: C: Halophiles Rationale: 1. Halophiles are bacteria adapted to high salt environments. 2. They have specific mechanisms to tolerate high salt concentrations. 3. Acidophiles thrive in acidic conditions. 4. Thermophiles prefer high temperature environments. 5. Mesophiles grow best at moderate temperatures.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pyogenes. 1. Gram-positive cocci in chains: characteristic of Streptococcus species. 2. Catalase-negative: Streptococcus species are catalase-negative. 3. Beta-hemolytic: S. pyogenes is beta-hemolytic on blood agar. Therefore, S. pyogenes fits all these criteria. B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is catalase-negative but alpha-hemolytic, not beta-hemolytic. C: Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative, but not typically beta-hemolytic or in chains. D: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and not in chains.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Robert Hooke. Hooke published Micrographia in 1665, showcasing detailed illustrations of insects, sponges, and plant cells under the microscope. Hooke's work was groundbreaking in advancing the field of microscopy. Van Leeuwenhoek is known for discovering microorganisms but did not publish Micrographia. Janssen and Needham were not associated with Micrographia. Therefore, A is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Adhesion to surfaces. Bacterial fimbriae are hair-like appendages that help bacteria attach to surfaces, such as host cells or medical devices. This adhesion is crucial for colonization and infection. DNA replication (B) occurs in the cell's nucleus, not on the surface. Protein synthesis (C) happens inside the cell, not on the fimbriae. Flagella movement (D) is the function of flagella, not fimbriae.