What is the primary function of bacterial ribosomes?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Synthesize proteins. Bacterial ribosomes are responsible for translating mRNA into proteins through a process called translation. Ribosomes do not generate ATP (choice B), produce DNA (choice C), or synthesize lipids (choice D). These processes are carried out by other cellular components such as mitochondria for ATP production, DNA polymerase for DNA replication, and enzymes for lipid synthesis. The primary function of bacterial ribosomes is protein synthesis, making choice A the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Biological oxidation. Haematrophic bacteria obtain energy through biological oxidation, where they break down organic compounds to generate ATP for cellular processes. This process involves the transfer of electrons from the substrate to an electron transport chain to produce energy. Heat production (A) is a byproduct of metabolism, not the primary way to obtain energy. In biosynthetic reactions (C), energy is utilized rather than generated. Cultivation in culture media (D) is a method of growing bacteria but does not directly provide energy. Therefore, the correct answer is B as it aligns with the metabolic process of haematrophic bacteria.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Borrelia burgdorferi. Borrelia burgdorferi is the bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, Leptospira interrogans causes leptospirosis, and Rickettsia rickettsii causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Borrelia burgdorferi is specifically associated with Lyme disease due to its transmission through tick bites and the characteristic symptoms it causes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Volutin granules. Volutin granules are metachromatic granules that stain dark blue with methylene blue or Leishman stain. In diphtheria-causing bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, these granules are typically seen as yellow rods with dark blue thickenings on their ends when stained. Volutin granules are storage inclusions composed of polymetaphosphate that serve as an energy reserve for the bacteria. The presence of these granules in the detected microorganisms indicates the characteristic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Summary of other choices: B: Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules that are not typically visible on stained smears. C: Capsules are outer protective layers that are not visible on stained smears. D: Spores are reproductive structures formed by certain bacteria, not typically seen in Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bacillus anthracis. The black, painless carbuncle with peripheral vesicular rash is characteristic of cutaneous anthrax. Microscopy showing non-motile Gram-positive rods with a capsule aligns with Bacillus anthracis. The other choices can be eliminated: B: Staphylococcus aureus does not typically form a black lesion or have a capsule. C: Clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene, not the described lesion. D: Bacillus subtilis is not associated with the specific clinical presentation mentioned.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Late congenital syphilis. This is because the patient presents with Hutchinson's teeth, which are a characteristic feature of late congenital syphilis. Hutchinson's teeth are small, barrel-shaped teeth with a wider cervix and notched incisors. The patient's history of visual impairment and hearing aid use also support the diagnosis of late congenital syphilis, as these are common manifestations of this stage of the disease. Choice A, Primary syphilis, is incorrect because it typically presents with a painless sore at the site of infection, not dental abnormalities. Choice B, Early congenital syphilis, is incorrect as dental abnormalities in this stage are usually more severe, such as mulberry molars. Choice C, Neurosyphilis, is incorrect as it primarily affects the central nervous system and does not typically present with dental abnormalities.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is responsible for causing the plague, a severe infectious disease. This bacterium is transmitted via fleas from rodents to humans. It causes bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Clostridium difficile causes gastrointestinal infections, Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause various infections but not the plague.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: streptococci. This term refers to beadlike chains of cocci formed after cell division along a single axis. "Diplococci" (A) are pairs of cocci, "tetrads" (C) are groups of four cocci, and "sarcinae" (D) are cube-like groups of eight cocci. Streptococci is the most appropriate term for describing the specific arrangement mentioned in the question.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: protomeres. Viral capsomeres are the building blocks of viral capsids, which are protein coats that enclose and protect the viral genetic material. These capsomeres are made up of smaller subunits called protomeres. Envelopes (A) refer to a lipid membrane surrounding some viruses, not the subunits of capsomeres. Capsids (C) are the protein coats that capsomeres make up, not the subunits themselves. Nucleoids (D) are found in bacterial cells and refer to the region where the genetic material is located, not the subunits of viral capsomeres.