What is the primary function of bacterial capsules?

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: Obligate anaerobes. These bacteria can only survive in the absence of oxygen as they lack the enzymes needed for aerobic respiration. They typically use fermentation or anaerobic respiration for energy production. Incorrect choices: B: Facultative anaerobes can switch between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism based on oxygen availability. C: Obligate aerobes require oxygen for survival and cannot survive in anoxic conditions. D: Microaerophiles require low levels of oxygen for growth and are not capable of surviving in completely anoxic conditions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium produces a toxin that causes diphtheria. It forms a grayish membrane in the throat, leading to difficulty breathing. Bacillus anthracis (Choice A) causes anthrax, Streptococcus pneumoniae (Choice C) causes pneumonia, and Escherichia coli (Choice D) causes various infections but not diphtheria.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mycobacterium leprae. This bacterium is responsible for causing leprosy. Mycobacterium leprae is a slow-growing bacterium that affects the skin and nerves, leading to the characteristic symptoms of leprosy. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted bacterium causing gonorrhea. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Clostridium perfringens is associated with food poisoning and gas gangrene. Therefore, the correct answer is A because Mycobacterium leprae specifically causes leprosy, while the other choices are associated with different diseases.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Shigella dysenteriae. This bacterium produces Shiga toxin, which inhibits protein synthesis by inactivating the ribosomes. Shigella dysenteriae is known to cause severe gastrointestinal infections. Choice B: Escherichia coli typically does not produce toxins that inhibit protein synthesis. E. coli strains may produce toxins that cause diarrhea. Choice C: Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin toxin, which affects the nervous system but does not inhibit protein synthesis. Choice D: Staphylococcus aureus produces toxins like enterotoxins and exotoxins but these toxins do not directly inhibit protein synthesis.