During the skill-building session in microbiology the students need to stain the prepared and fixed sputum smears obtained from a tuberculosis patient. What staining technique should be used in this case?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct staining technique for sputum smears obtained from a tuberculosis patient is Ziehl-Neelsen staining. This technique uses carbol fuchsin dye to stain the acid-fast bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, red. Here's a step-by-step rationale: 1. Ziehl-Neelsen staining is specifically designed to detect acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 2. Carbol fuchsin dye is used to penetrate the mycolic acid layer in the cell wall of the bacteria, making them resistant to decolorization. 3. Acid-alcohol is used as a decolorizer to remove the stain from non-acid-fast bacteria. 4. Methylene blue is used as a counterstain to visualize non-acid-fast bacteria in blue. Therefore, Ziehl-Neelsen staining is the most appropriate technique for identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum smears. Other choices like Gram, Giemsa, and

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: A bacterial colony is a visible formation: Correct as colonies are visible to the naked eye. Step 2: Formed by clustering of cells: Correct as colonies are made up of numerous bacterial cells. Step 3: Belonging to different bacterial species: Correct as colonies can consist of one or multiple species. Summary: Choice A is correct as it accurately describes a bacterial colony. Choice B is incorrect as colonies can also form on solid nutrient mediums. Choice C is incorrect as choice A is correct. Choice D is incorrect as there is a correct option provided.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: circular double-stranded DNA. Bacterial genomes are typically composed of circular double-stranded DNA due to its stability and efficient replication. Circular DNA allows for continuous replication without the need for telomeres present in linear DNA (choice B). Bacteria do not typically have double-stranded RNA genomes (choice A) as RNA is more commonly found in viruses. Single-stranded DNA (choice D) is not typically the main genetic material in bacteria, as it is less stable and less efficient for information storage compared to double-stranded DNA.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA is the compound that combines with oxaloacetic acid at the beginning of the Krebs cycle to form citric acid. This step is essential for the cycle to proceed, making acetyl-CoA the correct choice. A: Citric acid is formed after acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetic acid, so it is a product of the reaction, not the compound that enters the cycle. B: Pyruvic acid is converted to acetyl-CoA in a separate process before entering the Krebs cycle. D: Phosphoglyceraldehyde is not involved in the Krebs cycle; it is a compound in glycolysis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Actinomycosis. Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces species, which form sulfur granules in purulent masses surrounded by dense fibrous tissue. In this case, the presence of fungal druses, plasma cells, xanthoma cells, and macrophages in the histological examination is characteristic of actinomycosis. The clinical presentation of skin redness, swelling, and abscess formation in the neck area also aligns with actinomycosis. Choice A: Syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum, presenting with a painless chancre at the site of infection, not skin redness and swelling in the neck area. Choice B: Carbuncle is a bacterial skin infection involving a group of hair follicles, typically on the back of the neck, not characterized by fungal druses or sulfur granules. Choice D: Leprosy

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because there are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 typically causes oral herpes, while HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes. Choice A is incorrect because there is more than one type. Choices C and D are also incorrect as there are only two types of herpes simplex virus known to infect humans.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus saprophyticus. This bacterium is the second most common cause of cystitis in healthy sexually active women after E. coli. Staphylococcus saprophyticus is commonly found in the gastrointestinal and genital areas. It has a unique ability to adhere to uroepithelial cells, making it a common pathogen in urinary tract infections. Proteus mirabilis is more commonly associated with complicated UTIs, especially in catheterized patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is more commonly seen in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients. Klebsiella pneumoniae is typically associated with UTIs in elderly patients or those with structural abnormalities in the urinary tract.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Metronidazole is known to inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism. 2. Inhibition of this enzyme leads to accumulation of acetaldehyde, causing unpleasant symptoms when alcohol is consumed. 3. This reaction is known as the disulfiram-like reaction. 4. Reserpine, Clonidine, and Diazepam do not have this specific mechanism of action. Summary: - Option A (Metronidazole) is correct due to its inhibition of alcohol metabolism. - Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not exhibit this interaction with alcohol metabolism.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: The patient's symptoms align with tetanus infection, such as muscle spasms and fever. Step 2: Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria found in soil. Step 3: The wound from tilling soil provides an entry point for the bacteria. Step 4: Delayed seeking medical attention increases the risk of tetanus development. Step 5: Tetanus toxin affects the nervous system, leading to muscle stiffness and spasms. Summary: Choice A is correct due to symptom alignment, bacterial source, wound type, delayed treatment, and specific neurological effects. Choices B, C, and D lack these specific connections to the given scenario.