Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The primary function of bacterial capsules is to aid in adhesion and protect against phagocytosis. Capsules help bacteria adhere to surfaces and evade immune system detection by preventing phagocytosis. This is important for bacterial survival and colonization in host organisms. Choice A, protein synthesis, is incorrect as capsules do not directly participate in this process. Choice C, facilitate motility, is incorrect as capsules are not involved in bacterial movement. Choice D, synthesize DNA, is incorrect as capsules do not have a role in DNA synthesis. Thus, the correct answer is B.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Botulism. Botulism is caused by the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria found in improperly preserved or canned foods. The symptoms described align with botulism, such as difficulty swallowing and breathing due to muscle paralysis. The tennis racket appearance seen under microscopy corresponds to the characteristic appearance of Clostridium botulinum spores. The other choices can be ruled out based on the clinical presentation and microscopy findings. Cholera typically presents with severe watery diarrhea, Nontyphoidal Salmonella infection with fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, and Typhoid fever with high fever and abdominal pain. Therefore, the most likely diagnosis in this case is botulism.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because Marburg virus and Ebola virus belong to the Filoviridae family. These viruses are characterized by their filamentous shape and are known to cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. Both viruses have caused outbreaks with high mortality rates. Choice A (Lassa virus and lymphocytic choriomeningitis viruses) are not part of the Filoviridae family. They belong to the Arenaviridae family, which also includes viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers. Choice B (Chikungunya virus and Sindbis virus) are arboviruses belonging to the Togaviridae family, which are not related to the Filoviridae family. Choice D (Crimean-Congo virus and Hantaan virus) are part of the Nairoviridae and Hantaviridae families, respectively, and not the Filoviridae family.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Psychrophilic: Grow best in cold temperatures 2. Mesophilic: Grow best in moderate temperatures 3. Thermophilic: Grow best in high temperatures - Choice A is incorrect as "thermophobic" is not a recognized term. - Choice B is incorrect as "psychophobic" is not a recognized term. - Choice D is incorrect as "mesophobic" is not a recognized term.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: pertussis toxin. This toxin is the most important virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis because it plays a key role in causing the characteristic symptoms of whooping cough. Pertussis toxin interferes with the host's immune response, leading to inflammation and tissue damage in the respiratory tract. The other choices (A: the flagellum, C: P fimbriae, D: mannose-resistant adhesins) are important for bacterial attachment and colonization, but they do not directly contribute to the severity of the disease like pertussis toxin does.