What was the important contribution to microbiology of Anton Van Leeuwenhoek in the 1600s?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: He was the first to observe microorganisms. Van Leeuwenhoek's important contribution to microbiology was his discovery of microorganisms using his own handcrafted microscopes. This observation revolutionized the field by providing the first direct evidence of the existence of microorganisms. Choice B is incorrect because Leeuwenhoek's observations actually supported the idea of spontaneous generation. Choice C is incorrect because he did not link microorganisms to diseases. Choice D is incorrect because the process of fermentation was described by others before Leeuwenhoek.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased concentration of C-reactive protein. This is because C-reactive protein is a well-established clinical indicator of inflammation, produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Choice A is incorrect because a decreased concentration of C3b is not a typical indicator of inflammation. Choice C is incorrect because mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an acute-phase reactant that increases in response to inflammation, so a decreased concentration of MBL would not be indicative of inflammation. Choice D is incorrect as it includes all options, but only B is a valid clinical indicator of inflammation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the term 'lymphocyte repertoire' specifically refers to the range of antigen receptor specificities found in a lymphocyte population. Lymphocytes are immune cells that play a crucial role in recognizing and responding to antigens, and their diverse antigen receptor specificities allow them to recognize a wide range of pathogens. This term does not refer to effector functions (B) or a single lymphocyte's receptor specificities (C). Additionally, it does not describe the collection of daughter cells produced after division (D), as the repertoire refers to the initial diversity of antigen receptors within a lymphocyte population.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Virus typically triggers a Th1 response because Th1 cells are specialized in combating intracellular pathogens like viruses. Th2 response is more common for extracellular parasites, making choice B incorrect. TH17 response is usually associated with fungal infections and autoimmune diseases, making choice C incorrect. Parasitic worms usually induce a Th2 response due to their extracellular nature, making choice D incorrect.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the statement incorrectly implies that the bacterial type III secretion system is used by gut microbiota to invade intestinal epithelial cells in Crohn's disease. In reality, Crohn's disease is not directly caused by invasion of gut microbiota into intestinal cells; it is a complex autoimmune condition. The gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with Crohn's disease, but invasion of epithelial cells is not the primary mechanism. Choices A, B, and C are correct: A highlights the altered microbiome in obesity, B discusses the use of fecal transplants for C. difficile infections, and C mentions Crohn's disease related to issues with gut microbiota tolerance.