Which bacteria are capable of surviving in anoxic (oxygen-free) conditions?

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: 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.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. This bacterium is commonly associated with foodborne illnesses caused by contaminated water due to its ability to survive and multiply in water sources. Vibrio cholerae causes cholera, a severe gastrointestinal infection transmitted through contaminated food and water. Clostridium difficile, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are not typically associated with foodborne illnesses caused by contaminated water. Clostridium difficile causes gastrointestinal infections linked to antibiotic use, Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis through respiratory transmission, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes sexually transmitted infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium botulinum. Clostridium botulinum produces the neurotoxin that causes botulism. This bacterium thrives in anaerobic conditions and contaminated food. The neurotoxin blocks acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle paralysis. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, Escherichia coli can cause food poisoning but not botulism, and Staphylococcus aureus produces enterotoxins causing food poisoning, not botulism.