Examination of a child revealed some whitish spots looking like coagulated milk on the mucous membrane of his cheeks and tongue. Analysis of smears revealed gram-positive oval yeast-like cells. What causative agents are they?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Candida. The whitish spots resembling coagulated milk on the mucous membranes are characteristic of oral thrush, a condition caused by Candida species. Candida is a gram-positive oval yeast-like fungus commonly found in the oral cavity. Staphylococci (B) are gram-positive cocci, not yeast-like cells. Diphtheria bacillus (C) causes diphtheria, not oral thrush. Actinomycetes (D) are filamentous bacteria, not yeast-like cells typically seen in oral thrush. Therefore, A is the correct answer based on the clinical presentation and microscopic findings.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: ocular lens. The ocular lens is the lens closest to the eye in a compound light microscope. This lens is responsible for magnifying the image produced by the objective lens. It typically has a magnification power of 10x. The objective lens, choice B, is positioned closer to the specimen and provides the primary magnification of the image. The condenser, choice C, is located beneath the stage and helps focus light onto the specimen. The stage, choice D, is where the specimen is placed for observation. Therefore, the ocular lens is the correct choice as it is the lens closest to the eye and responsible for further magnifying the image.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Staphylococcus saprophyticus. The rationale is that Staphylococcus saprophyticus is the only one among the listed species that is known to be resistant to novobiocin. This resistance is due to the specific mechanism of action of novobiocin, which targets DNA gyrase, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus possesses an altered DNA gyrase enzyme that renders it resistant to the antibiotic. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are susceptible to novobiocin, making choices A and B incorrect. Choice D, "none of the listed," is also incorrect as Staphylococcus saprophyticus is indeed resistant to novobiocin.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why the correct answer is A (Cholera): 1. Gram-negative curved mobile monotrichous bacilli: Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, fits this description. 2. Do not produce spores or capsules: Vibrio cholerae does not produce spores or capsules. 3. Require alkaline reaction (pH 8.5-9.5): Vibrio cholerae thrives in alkaline environments. 4. Enteric infection: Cholera is a classic example of an enteric infection transmitted through contaminated food or water. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Shigellosis is caused by Shigella species, which are gram-negative, but they are not curved bacilli and do not require an alkaline pH. C: Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi, which are gram-negative but are not curved bacilli and do not require an alkaline pH.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: decompose hydrogen peroxide. Catalase is an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This is important in bacteria to protect them from the harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide, a byproduct of metabolism. Choice B is incorrect as peptidoglycan synthesis is not the function of catalase. Choice C is incorrect as oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic process unrelated to catalase function. Choice D is incorrect as endotoxin production is not a role of catalase.