In the South and Central America there can be found a species of trypanosomes that is the causative agent of Chagas disease. What animal is the infection carrier specific to this disease?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Triatomine bug. Triatomine bugs, also known as "kissing bugs," are the specific carrier of the trypanosomes that cause Chagas disease. These bugs transmit the parasite through their feces, which contain the infectious forms of the trypanosomes. When the bug bites a human or animal, it defecates near the bite wound, allowing the parasites to enter the bloodstream through the broken skin. Mosquitoes (B) transmit diseases like malaria and dengue fever, not Chagas disease. Tsetse flies (C) are known for transmitting African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), not Chagas disease. Cockroaches (D) are not known to transmit Chagas disease.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 20 minutes. Escherichia coli has a short generation time, typically around 20 minutes. This means that under ideal conditions, one bacterium can divide and produce two daughter cells every 20 minutes. This rapid growth rate is a characteristic of E. coli and is important in various fields such as microbiology and biotechnology. Choice B (60 minutes) and Choice C (20 hours) are incorrect as they do not align with the typical generation time of E. coli. Choice D (24 hours) is also incorrect as it is too long for the generation time of E. coli.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Genus Shigella. Shigella is known to be the causative agent of bacterial dysentery. It invades the intestinal lining, leading to symptoms like severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Salmonella (choice B) typically causes food poisoning, not dysentery. Klebsiella (choice C) is associated with pneumonia and urinary tract infections, not dysentery. "None of the above" (choice D) is incorrect as Shigella does belong to a specific genus responsible for bacterial dysentery.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Sterilization refers to the complete elimination of all microorganisms, including their spores, which are the most resistant form of microbial life. Spores have a tough outer coating that protects them from harsh conditions, making them more difficult to destroy compared to vegetative cells, viruses, and protozoa. Therefore, the correct answer is C because sterilization targets and eliminates all forms of microorganisms, including spores. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because sterilization goes beyond just targeting vegetative cells, viruses, or protozoa; it aims to eliminate all microorganisms present.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus. 1. Gram-positive cocci in clusters suggest staphylococci. 2. Catalase-positive indicates staphylococci since streptococci are catalase-negative. 3. Coagulase-positive further confirms Staphylococcus aureus, distinguishing it from other staphylococci. Summary: B is incorrect as Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative. C is incorrect as Micrococcus luteus is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative. D is incorrect as Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Both Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium tetani produce neurotoxins. Botulinum toxin affects the nervous system by blocking neurotransmitter release, causing paralysis. Tetanus toxin affects the nervous system by interfering with neurotransmitter release, leading to muscle stiffness and spasms. Therefore, Choice C is correct. Choices A and B alone are incorrect because they only mention one of the bacteria that produces a neurotoxin. Choice D is incorrect because both bacteria mentioned in Choices A and B produce neurotoxins.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba gingivalis. Firstly, it is important to note that Entamoeba gingivalis is commonly found in the oral cavity, specifically in carious cavities. Secondly, Entamoeba gingivalis belongs to the Sarcodina class, which is characterized by their amoeboid movement using pseudopods. This protozoa is associated with oral health issues, particularly in individuals with poor oral hygiene. Now, let's analyze why the other choices are incorrect: B: Entamoeba histolutica is known for causing amoebic dysentery, not commonly associated with oral cavities. C: Entamoeba coli is typically found in the human large intestine, not in oral cavities. D: Amoeba proteus is a free-living amoeba commonly used in laboratory studies and not typically associated with oral cavity infections.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: lyases. Lyases are enzymes that catalyze the breaking of chemical bonds without the addition of water. They can remove functional groups from substrates or add functional groups to double bonds without the use of water. A: Oxidoreductases involve the transfer of electrons. B: Transferases transfer functional groups from one molecule to another. C: Hydrolases catalyze the breaking of bonds by adding water.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Facultative anaerobes can switch between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism based on oxygen availability. This flexibility enables them to grow in both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor environments, making choice B correct. Choice A is incorrect because facultative anaerobes do not require oxygen for survival. Choice C is incorrect as obligate anaerobes cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Choice D is incorrect because obligate anaerobes cannot tolerate any amount of oxygen.