Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. 1. Gram-positive diplococci with pointed ends: characteristic morphology of Streptococcus pneumoniae. 2. Surrounded by a capsule: S. pneumoniae is encapsulated, important for virulence. 3. Klebsiella pneumoniae (B) is a Gram-negative rod, Neisseria meningitidis (C) is a Gram-negative diplococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus (D) is a Gram-positive cocci in clusters, not diplococci.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, proportion 4:1. Gram (+) bacteria have a higher ratio of MG-ribonucleate to Mg. deoxyribonucleate because ribosomal RNA is more abundant in actively growing bacterial cells. This higher proportion of MG-ribonucleate to Mg. deoxyribonucleate is essential for protein synthesis and growth. The other choices are incorrect because they do not reflect the higher ratio of ribosomal RNA to DNA in Gram (+) bacteria, which is crucial for their metabolic activities and cellular functions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Smooth S colonies. Bacteria with long O-specific chains are known as smooth strains, and when cultured on solid growth media, they form smooth colonies due to the presence of the O antigen. This gives them a glossy appearance. Rough R colonies (Choice B) lack O antigen and appear rough. Mucoid -M colonies (Choice C) are associated with capsules, not O-specific chains. H colonies (Choice D) are not relevant to the O-specific chains. Smooth S colonies are the characteristic phenotype of bacteria with long O-specific chains when cultured on solid media.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Prions. Prions are infectious proteins that lack nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, which are essential components of all other living organisms, including Archaea, Bacteria, and Viruses. Prions are unique in their ability to cause protein misfolding and aggregation in the brain, leading to various neurodegenerative diseases. The other choices (A: Archaea, B: Viruses, D: Bacteria) all contain nucleic acids in the form of DNA or RNA, making them distinct from prions. Therefore, C is the correct answer in this case.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obligate aerobes. These bacteria require oxygen for their survival and growth. They utilize oxygen in their metabolic processes and cannot survive in the absence of oxygen. Choice A, obligate anaerobes, cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. Choice B, facultative anaerobes, can switch between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism based on oxygen availability. Choice D, aerotolerant anaerobes, can tolerate the presence of oxygen but do not require it for their growth. Therefore, the most appropriate term for bacteria that require oxygen for survival is obligate aerobes.