Agents associated with human disease but generally not a serious health risk are classified in which of the following risk groups?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: RG2. RG2 is appropriate for agents associated with human disease that pose a moderate health risk. These agents may cause disease of varying severity, but generally do not result in serious health consequences. Other choices are incorrect because: A: RG1 is for agents not associated with disease in healthy adults, C: RG3 is for agents associated with serious or lethal human disease, and D: RG4 is for agents that pose a high risk of life-threatening disease and for which there are no treatments.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Direct flaming. Direct flaming is the simplest heat-related method to sterilize metal because it involves passing the metal through a flame to kill microorganisms. The high temperature of the flame effectively destroys any bacteria or spores present on the metal surface. Incineration (A) is not practical for sterilizing metal as it involves burning at extremely high temperatures. Autoclaving (B) uses steam under pressure to sterilize, which is effective but more complex than direct flaming. Indirect heating (D) is not an effective method for sterilizing metal as it does not directly expose the metal to high temperatures required for sterilization.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: rRNA. Bacterial ribosomes consist mainly of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), which plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. Ribosomes are composed of rRNA and proteins, with rRNA being the major component. rRNA serves as the structural and catalytic component of the ribosome, aiding in the binding of mRNA and tRNA during translation. Carbohydrates (A) and lipids (B) are not primary components of ribosomes, and DNA (C) is not found in ribosomes as they are involved in storing genetic information, not in protein synthesis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pyogenes. Rationale: 1. Gram-positive cocci in pairs suggest Streptococcus species. 2. Catalase-negative rules out Staphylococcus. 3. Beta-hemolytic indicates Streptococcus pyogenes due to its beta-hemolytic properties. Summary: B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is catalase-negative but not beta-hemolytic. C: Enterococcus faecalis is not typically beta-hemolytic. D: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and not typically in pairs.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because Endo, Gassner, and Levin are all examples of differential media used in microbiology. These media contain specific components that allow for the differentiation of different types of microorganisms based on their metabolic characteristics or biochemical reactions. Lowenstein-Jensen and Petraniani (choice A) are selective media for mycobacteria, not differential. Apoholate-citrate agar and Brilliant-green phenol-red Lactose agar (choice B) are selective media for Salmonella and E. coli, respectively, not differential. Therefore, the correct choice is C as it includes examples of differential media commonly used for microbial identification.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: plasma coagulase. This enzyme is essential for the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus as it can convert fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a protective barrier around the bacteria. This helps the bacteria evade the host's immune system. Beta lactamase (A) is not directly related to pathogenicity but rather resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Catalase (C) is produced by many bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, but it is not a specific indicator of pathogenicity. Choice D is incorrect as plasma coagulase is indeed an important criterion for the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough is caused by this bacteria, which specifically infects the respiratory tract. Bordetella pertussis produces toxins that lead to the characteristic symptoms of the disease. Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae are not the causative agents of whooping cough. Haemophilus influenzae can cause respiratory infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with hospital-acquired infections, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia and other respiratory infections, but none of these bacteria are responsible for whooping cough.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Vaccinia is a laboratory product used in smallpox vaccination. 2. Variola is the virus that causes smallpox, not a laboratory product. 3. Monkeypox is a naturally occurring virus, not a laboratory product. 4. Cowpox can be found in nature and is used in vaccine production, but it is not a laboratory product like Vaccinia.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is known for producing pyocyanin, a green pigment. This bacterium is commonly associated with infections in immunocompromised individuals. Staphylococcus aureus (choice A) produces golden-yellow pigments, not green. Escherichia coli (choice C) and Clostridium difficile (choice D) do not produce pyocyanin. Therefore, the correct choice is B based on the characteristic pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.