ATI RN
microbiology an evolving science test bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
Pili are bacterial organelles for:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Adhesion. Pili are bacterial appendages that help bacteria adhere to surfaces. This is important for colonization and biofilm formation. Choice A (Chemotaxis) is incorrect because chemotaxis is the movement of bacteria in response to chemical stimuli, not the function of pili. Choice C (Nutrient acquisition) is incorrect because pili are not directly involved in obtaining nutrients. Choice D (None of the above) is incorrect as pili do serve a specific purpose, which is adhesion.
Question 2 of 5
Quite often, the soil may contain a number of pathogenic microorganisms. The causative agents of the following disease may exist in the soil for a long time:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anthrax. Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can form spores that are highly resistant and can survive in the soil for long periods. These spores can remain dormant until they come into contact with a susceptible host, leading to infection. Diphtheria, viral hepatitis, and pertussis are caused by different types of pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that do not have the same ability to persist in soil as anthrax spores. Therefore, the causative agents of these diseases are less likely to exist in the soil for extended periods compared to anthrax spores.
Question 3 of 5
A patient with probable liver abscess was delivered to a surgical department. The patient for a long time had been on an assignment in an African country and had recurrent cases of gastrointestinal disturbance. What protozoan disease can it be?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Amebiasis. The patient's symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbance and liver abscess are indicative of an infection with Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for amebiasis. The patient's travel history to an African country also increases the likelihood of contracting this disease, as it is more prevalent in tropical regions. Toxoplasmosis (A) is primarily associated with exposure to cat feces, Leishmaniasis (B) is transmitted through sandfly bites, and Malaria (C) is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. Therefore, these options are incorrect given the patient's presentation and travel history.
Question 4 of 5
A patient being treated in the burns department has suppurative complication. The pus is of bluish- green color that is indicative of infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. What factor is typical for this causative agent?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Gram-negative stain. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterium, as indicated by the bluish-green pus color. This bacterium has an outer membrane that retains the crystal violet stain, making it appear pink/red after the counterstain with safranin in Gram staining. The other choices are incorrect because Pseudomonas aeruginosa does not typically form spores (B), has a rod-shaped morphology rather than a coccal form (C), and does not exhibit cell pairing (D).
Question 5 of 5
What is the role of bacterial endospores?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Protection against harsh conditions. Bacterial endospores are dormant structures produced by certain bacteria as a survival strategy under unfavorable conditions. They protect the bacterial DNA and other essential components from damage caused by heat, chemicals, desiccation, and radiation. Endospores do not directly participate in energy production (A), DNA replication (B), or protein synthesis (D). These functions are carried out by the active, vegetative form of the bacterial cell.