Infectious agents of various ultrastructures can be etiological agents of infectious diseases. Which of the groups named below HAS NO cellular structure, protein synthesizing, enzyme and energy systems?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Viruses. Viruses are acellular, meaning they lack cellular structure, protein synthesizing ability, enzymes, and energy systems. They are essentially genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat. Fungi (B), bacteria (C), and protozoa (D) are all cellular organisms with protein synthesizing, enzyme, and energy systems. Viruses rely on host cells to replicate and carry out metabolic functions, making them distinct from other groups.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Endoplasmic reticulum. Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum, which is present in eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotes do possess ribosomes for protein synthesis (A), a chromosome (C) for genetic material, and peptidoglycan (D) in their cell walls. The absence of endoplasmic reticulum is a key characteristic that distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thayer-Martin agar. This selective media contains antibiotics that inhibit the growth of other organisms while allowing Neisseria gonorrhoeae to grow. The antibiotics in Thayer-Martin agar include vancomycin, colistin, nystatin, and trimethoprim, which target different types of bacteria, ensuring the isolation of N. gonorrhoeae. Phenylethyl alcohol agar (A) is used to isolate gram-positive organisms, not N. gonorrhoeae. MacConkey agar (C) is selective for gram-negative enteric bacteria. Mannitol salt agar (D) is used for isolating Staphylococcus species based on their ability to ferment mannitol.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This pathogen is known to cause amoebic dysentery, characterized by diarrhea with bloody or mucoid stools. The presence of cysts with four nuclei in the stool microscopy is a characteristic feature of Entamoeba histolytica. Other choices are incorrect because Giardia lamblia typically presents with binucleate cysts, Balantidium coli is a ciliated protozoan, and Trichomonas hominis is a non-pathogenic parasite found in the human intestine.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Enteropathogenic E. Coli (EPEC). EPEC bacteria adhere to the intestine wall using a protein called intimin, leading to microvilli damage. This attachment disrupts the normal absorption function of the intestine. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Enterohemorrhagic E. Coli (EHEC) primarily causes bloody diarrhea and does not specifically target microvilli. C: Enterotoxigenic E. Coli (ETEC) produces toxins that lead to watery diarrhea but does not directly target microvilli. D: Enteroinvasive E. Coli (EIEC) invades and replicates within intestinal cells, causing inflammatory diarrhea, but does not specifically damage microvilli.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, both A and B. Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus anthracis are both capable of forming spores, which are a protective mechanism that allows them to survive harsh conditions. Clostridium botulinum causes botulism and forms spores in anaerobic environments, while Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax and forms spores in aerobic environments. Therefore, both choices A and B are correct. Choice D is incorrect as it contradicts the fact that both bacteria are capable of forming spores.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium botulinum and Staphylococcus aureus. Clostridium botulinum produces a potent neurotoxin causing botulism, commonly associated with improperly canned foods. Staphylococcus aureus produces toxins causing symptoms of food poisoning. Bacillus anthracis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are not typically associated with food poisoning. Treponema pallidum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are bacteria causing sexually transmitted infections. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are not directly linked to food poisoning.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct hierarchical order for virus classification is order, family, subfamily, genus, species. This is because classification starts at a broader level (order) and narrows down to a more specific level (species). Order comes first to group viruses based on common characteristics, followed by family, which further categorizes them. Subfamily refines the classification, then genus groups similar viruses together, and species distinguishes different strains within a genus. Choice A is incorrect because it places genus before family, which is not the correct sequence. Choice B is incorrect as it starts with species, which is the most specific level. Choice D is incorrect because it places genus at the beginning, which is too specific for the hierarchical order.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium is capable of forming spores as a survival mechanism in harsh conditions. Spore formation allows it to remain dormant until conditions become favorable for growth again. Staphylococcus aureus (A), Escherichia coli (C), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (D) do not form spores and rely on other mechanisms for survival. Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin bacterium, Escherichia coli is a gut bacterium, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted bacterium.