Animals that are capable of transmitting infectious disease are called:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: vectors. Vectors are animals that transmit infectious diseases from one host to another, typically through biting or contact. They do not cause the disease themselves but serve as intermediaries. Pathogens (B) are the microorganisms that cause diseases. Carriers (C) are individuals who harbor a pathogen without showing symptoms. Parasites (D) are organisms that live on or inside another organism and may or may not transmit diseases. Therefore, the term "vectors" specifically refers to animals that transmit infectious diseases, making it the correct choice in this context.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Escherichia coli can all cause pneumonia, but through different mechanisms. S. pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia, M. tuberculosis can lead to tuberculosis-related pneumonia, and E. coli can cause pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, all three bacteria can be responsible for causing pneumonia, making option D the correct choice. Option A, Streptococcus pneumoniae, is correct but does not cover all possible causes of pneumonia. Option B, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is too specific and does not include other common causes. Option C, Escherichia coli, is also a possible cause of pneumonia but does not account for all potential pathogens.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Norwalk Virus. The Norwalk Virus belongs to the family Caliciviridae because it has characteristic features such as a nonenveloped, single-stranded RNA genome. The other options, Yellow fever virus, Rubella virus, and CMV, belong to different virus families and have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from Caliciviridae. Yellow fever virus is a Flavivirus, Rubella virus belongs to Togaviridae, and CMV is a member of the Herpesviridae family. Therefore, based on the genomic and structural characteristics of the Norwalk Virus, it is the correct choice for belonging to the Caliciviridae family.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Peptidoglycan. Bacterial cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan, a unique macromolecule consisting of sugars and amino acids. This structure provides rigidity and protection to the cell. Lipopolysaccharides are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, not in the cell wall. Phospholipids are the main components of cell membranes, not cell walls. Chitin is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and some algae, not bacteria.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Interferon is a cell-specific protein that is produced and released from infected cells in response to viral infections. It acts extracellularly to interfere with viral replication, not to inactivate the virus itself. Interferon is not coded for by cellular DNA, but by viral RNA during infection. Therefore, the correct answer, D, is that interferon is not virus-specific but is cell-specific. This is because interferon can be produced by various cell types in response to different types of viral infections, making it a broad-spectrum antiviral defense mechanism.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Escherichia coli. E. coli typically produces red colonies on Endo agar due to its ability to ferment lactose. This results in the production of acid, causing the colonies to appear red. Salmonella and Shigella are non-lactose fermenters, so they would appear colorless or transparent on Endo agar. Proteus vulgaris is not commonly associated with red colonies on Endo agar. Therefore, based on the characteristic lactose fermentation pattern, E. coli is the most likely microorganism in this scenario.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Sepsis is a systemic response to infection resulting in organ dysfunction. A: Sepsis can be caused by bacterial infection, but it is not solely defined by the presence of bacteria in the blood. B: Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood, which can be a component of sepsis, but sepsis involves a broader systemic response beyond just bacteremia. C: Sepsis can lead to the release of toxins and organ failure, but sepsis itself is not defined solely by the massive proliferation of toxins. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as sepsis can involve the presence of bacteria, bacteremia, systemic manifestations, and organ failure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Gram-positive cocci in clusters suggest Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. 2. Catalase-positive and coagulase-positive narrow it down to Staphylococcus. 3. Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. Therefore, the likely causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. Summary: A: Correct - Staphylococcus aureus fits all the characteristics. B: Incorrect - Staphylococcus epidermidis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative. C: Incorrect - Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative. D: Incorrect - Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacillus anthracis. This bacterium is known to form highly resistant spores that can survive for long periods in soil. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, a dangerous disease that can be transmitted to humans and animals. The other choices, Francisella tularensis, Brucella abortus, and Yersinia pestis, do not form spores as resistant as Bacillus anthracis. Therefore, only Bacillus anthracis is likely to have survived in the soil of the old burial ground for animal refuse for over 50 years.