Fimbriae ARE NOT:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Fimbriae are hair-like structures on bacteria, not rope-like. 2. Fimbriae are smaller in diameter compared to flagella. 3. Fimbriae are used for adherence or conjugation, not flagella. Therefore, choice B is correct as it incorrectly describes fimbriae, while choices A, C, and D correctly characterize fimbriae.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Shigella dysenteriae I. This bacterium is known to produce Shiga toxin, which is responsible for the most severe bacillary infections. The toxin can cause bloody diarrhea and potentially life-threatening complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome. Shigella boydii, flexneri, and sonnei, while also causing bacillary dysentery, do not produce the same level of severity as Shigella dysenteriae I due to the absence of Shiga toxin.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer D is correct: 1. Tetanus exotoxins are produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria. 2. Once formed, the exotoxins can spread through the bloodstream. 3. Retrograde axonal transport allows the exotoxins to travel to the central nervous system (CNS). 4. In the CNS, the exotoxins can cause the symptoms of tetanus. 5. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as tetanus exotoxins do not follow those pathways. In summary, option D is correct as tetanus exotoxins can spread through the blood and reach the CNS via retrograde axonal transport, while the other options do not align with the known pathophysiology of tetanus.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Paramyxoviridae. Mumps virus is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, based on its characteristics such as structure, genome organization, and replication cycle. Paramyxoviruses are enveloped, non-segmented RNA viruses with a helical nucleocapsid. They replicate in the cytoplasm and bud from the host cell membrane. Coronaviridae (A) are a different family of viruses with distinct characteristics. Picornaviridae (B) and Orthomyxoviridae (C) are also different families with unique features that do not match those of the mumps virus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because spores are heat-resistant and require high temperatures for destruction. Autoclaving at 121°C for 15-20 minutes ensures spore destruction due to the high pressure and temperature. Choice B (heating to 80°C) is insufficient to destroy spores. Choice C (boiling at 100°C for 10 minutes) is also inadequate as spores require higher temperatures for elimination. Choice D (None of them) is incorrect as autoclaving is the standard method for spore sterilization.