One of the defense mechanisms in place in the organs/tissues of the reproductive tract that prevent microbial infection includes:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: acidic pH. The reproductive tract's acidic pH serves as a defense mechanism by creating an environment hostile to many pathogens, preventing microbial infection. The acidic pH helps to inhibit the growth and survival of harmful microorganisms. A: Alkaline pH would actually be more favorable for microbial growth as most pathogens thrive in neutral to alkaline pH environments. C: High sugar concentration can actually promote microbial growth as many pathogens feed on sugars. D: High body temperature may help in some cases, but it is not as effective as an acidic pH in preventing microbial infection in the reproductive tract.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Oral candidiasis. Soor is a term used to describe oral candidiasis, a fungal infection caused by Candida species. This infection presents as white patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth. The other choices (A, B, C) refer to different types of fungal infections affecting various parts of the body, not specifically the oral cavity. Therefore, based on the description of soor and its characteristics, the correct answer is D.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: T-lymphocytes. Cell-mediated immunity involves the activation of T-lymphocytes, which play a crucial role in recognizing and killing infected cells. T-lymphocytes include cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and regulatory T cells, all of which are involved in different aspects of cell-mediated immunity. Monocytes (choice B) are a type of white blood cell involved in phagocytosis but are not the main mediators of cell-mediated immunity. B-lymphocytes (choice C) are involved in humoral immunity, producing antibodies, not cell-mediated immunity. Choice D (A+B+C) is incorrect because cell-mediated immunity is mainly mediated by T-lymphocytes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (25°C) because dimorphic fungi typically grow as molds at lower temperatures. At 25°C, the fungus is likely in its mold phase, which is the preferred temperature range for mold growth. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because 15°C and 20°C are too low for optimal mold growth, and 37°C is too high as it typically favors the yeast phase of dimorphic fungi. Therefore, the preferred temperature for mold growth of a dimorphic fungus is 25°C.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is a major cause of gastric ulcers by disrupting the balance between aggressive (acid, pepsin) and defensive (mucus, bicarbonate, prostaglandins) factors in the stomach lining. H. pylori infection leads to inflammation, weakening the protective mucosal barrier, making the stomach more susceptible to damage. Choices B, C, and D are defensive factors that help protect the stomach lining and prevent ulcer formation, so they do not contribute to the development of gastric ulcers.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Passive immunity is the transfer of pre-formed antibodies from one individual to another, providing immediate protection. This process does not involve the recipient's immune response, hence it is called passive. Active immunity, on the other hand, involves the individual's immune system producing its own antibodies after exposure to an antigen. Innate immunity refers to the body's natural defense mechanisms present from birth, not involving antibodies. Therefore, the correct answer is A: passive immunity.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Fimbriae in bacteria are hair-like appendages that help in adhesion to surfaces. This is essential for colonization and infection. Fimbriae do not provide motility (flagella do), facilitate protein synthesis (ribosomes do), or help in endospore formation (specialized structures do). Adhesion is the primary function of fimbriae, allowing bacteria to stick to host cells or abiotic surfaces.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Purple-stained diplococci suggest Gram-positive cocci. 2. Capsule presence is a characteristic of Streptococcus pneumoniae. 3. S. pneumoniae is known to form diplococci arrangements. 4. Therefore, the microorganism most likely present is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Summary: - B: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative rod, not a cocci. - C: Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus, not a capsule producer. - D: Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative rod, not a cocci or capsule producer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all three bacteria listed produce toxins that cause damage to host tissues. Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin toxin causing tetanus, Vibrio cholerae produces cholera toxin leading to severe diarrhea, and Staphylococcus aureus releases toxins causing tissue damage in various infections. Therefore, all of the above choices are correct in terms of producing toxins that harm host tissues.