The most important virulence factor of Neisseria meningitidis is:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Polysaccharide capsule. The capsule of Neisseria meningitidis is crucial for its virulence as it helps the bacteria evade the host immune system by inhibiting phagocytosis. This allows the bacteria to survive and multiply in the host, leading to invasive infections. Exotoxins, beta-lactamase, and pyrogenic toxins are not the main virulence factors of Neisseria meningitidis and do not play as significant a role in its pathogenicity as the polysaccharide capsule.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: heterotrophic. Fungi are heterotrophic organisms that obtain nutrients by absorbing organic compounds from their environment. They do not produce their own food through photosynthesis (option A: autotrophic) or chemosynthesis (option B: chemotrophic). Fungi also do not rely on light for energy (option D: phototrophic). Therefore, the correct choice is C as it accurately describes the nutritional mode of fungi.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium is the most likely causative agent based on the description of Gram-positive cocci in pairs with a capsule. S. pneumoniae is known for its characteristic morphology and the presence of a capsule, which helps in evading the immune system. It commonly causes pneumonia, especially in patients with a productive cough and fever. Incorrect choices: B: Klebsiella pneumoniae typically presents with a mucoid capsule and is associated with pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. C: Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus and is more commonly associated with meningitis and septicemia. D: Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive cocci, but it does not typically present in pairs with a capsule and is more commonly associated with skin and soft tissue infections.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Contains single-stranded RNA with negative polarity. Measles virus is an enveloped virus with a single-stranded RNA genome that is negative-sense. This means it must first be transcribed into positive-sense RNA before it can be translated. Choice A is incorrect as the measles virus does have an outer envelope. Choice C is incorrect as measles virus belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, not Togaviridae. Choice D is incorrect as measles virus can be grown on cell cultures, specifically on Vero cells.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Enable bacterial adherence to surfaces. Bacterial capsules are a protective layer outside the cell wall that helps bacteria adhere to surfaces and evade host immune responses. This allows bacteria to colonize and infect host tissues. A: Enhancing bacterial motility is typically associated with flagella, not capsules. C: Bacterial DNA replication is not directly affected by capsules. D: Bacterial capsules do play a role in protecting bacteria from desiccation by providing a barrier against drying out. However, the primary function is enabling adherence to surfaces.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because spirochaetes are not bacilli; they are spiral-shaped bacteria. Bacilli are rod-shaped bacteria, making statement A false. Statement B is true as diplococci are spherical bacteria occurring in pairs. Statement C is true as rod-shaped bacteria have one diameter longer than the other. Statement D is true as coccobacilli are short, oval-shaped bacteria resembling cocci and rods. In summary, spirochaetes are spiral-shaped, not bacilli, making statement A false.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the correct answer because it is the specific bacterium responsible for causing gonorrhea. It is a sexually transmitted infection that primarily affects the genital tract. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is transmitted through sexual contact and can lead to symptoms such as painful urination, discharge, and pelvic pain. Chlamydia trachomatis (Choice B) is another sexually transmitted bacterium, but it causes chlamydia, not gonorrhea. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Choice C) is responsible for tuberculosis, a different infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs. Treponema pallidum (Choice D) causes syphilis, another sexually transmitted infection that presents with distinct symptoms from gonorrhea. Therefore, Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the correct choice for causing gonorrhea due to its specific association with this particular infection.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium is important for controlling air quality as it can degrade a wide range of organic compounds present in the air, helping to maintain a clean and healthy environment. Alpha and beta-hemolytic streptococci (Choice A) are not typically associated with air quality control. E. coli (Choice C) and Salmonella spp. (Choice D) are more commonly found in water and food sources, not air, making them incorrect choices for this question. Pseudomonas aeruginosa's ability to break down organic matter in the air makes it the most suitable option for maintaining sanitary air quality.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Chocolate agar. Neisseria meningitidis is a fastidious organism that requires enriched media for growth. Chocolate agar contains heat-treated blood that provides essential nutrients for the growth of N. meningitidis. The other choices, A: Levine agar, B: Lowenstein-Jensen agar, and C: TCBS agar, do not provide the specific nutrients required for the growth of N. meningitidis. Therefore, only choice D, Chocolate agar, supports the growth of N. meningitidis due to its enriched composition.