Infectious diseases in the adult population are responsible for about one third of all deaths in individuals over the age of:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (60 years) because as individuals age, their immune system weakens, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases. Around the age of 60, people are more likely to succumb to infections, leading to a higher mortality rate. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they are younger ages, and the likelihood of infectious diseases causing a significant proportion of deaths increases with age.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: spleen. The spleen is not a component of the gastrointestinal tract; it is part of the lymphatic system. The pharynx, esophagus, and stomach are all part of the gastrointestinal tract responsible for digestion and absorption of food. The spleen's main functions include filtering blood, storing blood cells, and supporting the immune system, making it unrelated to the digestive process.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: salmonellosis. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Salmonella is not directly transmitted from animals to humans, instead, it is typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. Brucellosis (A), undulant fever (B), and plague (C) are all zoonotic diseases that can be directly transmitted from animals to humans through various means. Therefore, salmonellosis does not fit the definition of a zoonotic disease, making it the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because peritrichous bacteria have flagella distributed all over their surface, allowing them to move in various directions. Choice A is incorrect because bacteria with a single flagellum at one pole are called monotrichous. Choice C is incorrect as bacteria with a single flagellum at each pole are known as amphitrichous. Choice D is incorrect because peritrichous bacteria have multiple flagella all over their surface, not limited to one or both poles.

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: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium tetani. Clostridium tetani is responsible for causing tetanus by producing a neurotoxin called tetanospasmin. This neurotoxin blocks inhibitory signals in the central nervous system, leading to muscle spasms and stiffness characteristic of tetanus. Clostridium perfringens (B) causes gas gangrene, Streptococcus pyogenes (C) causes strep throat, and Escherichia coli (D) can cause gastrointestinal infections but not tetanus. Therefore, based on the specific pathogen and its mechanism of action, Clostridium tetani is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thick peptidoglycan layer. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, which retains the crystal violet stain in the Gram staining process, leading to a purple color. This thick layer is a defining characteristic of Gram-positive bacteria. Rationale: A: Thin peptidoglycan layer is incorrect because Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer. B: Presence of an outer membrane is incorrect because Gram-positive bacteria lack an outer membrane. D: Presence of lipopolysaccharides is incorrect because lipopolysaccharides are typically found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, not Gram-positive bacteria.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium difficile are all known for causing hospital-acquired infections. Staphylococcus aureus can cause skin infections and pneumonia. Escherichia coli can lead to urinary tract infections. Clostridium difficile is associated with gastrointestinal infections. Each of these bacteria has been linked to healthcare-associated infections due to their ability to spread in healthcare settings. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because each of these bacteria individually is known to cause hospital-acquired infections.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Legionella and Neisseria are both gram-negative aerobic rods and cocci. Legionella is a rod-shaped bacterium, while Neisseria is a diplococcus. Both are aerobic, meaning they require oxygen for growth. The other choices are incorrect because Legionella and Neisseria are not facultative anaerobes (A), spirochetes (C), or anaerobic cocci (D). Understanding the characteristics of these bacteria helps in differentiating and selecting the correct answer.