Which bacteria is known for causing the disease tetanus?

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microbiology chapter 11 test bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

Which bacteria is known for causing the disease tetanus?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why A is correct: 1. Clostridium tetani is known to produce tetanus toxin. 2. The tetanus toxin causes muscle rigidity and spasms characteristic of tetanus. 3. Clostridium perfringens is associated with gas gangrene, not tetanus. 4. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, not tetanus. 5. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not tetanus. In summary, Clostridium tetani is the correct answer as it is specifically associated with causing tetanus, while the other choices are associated with different diseases.

Question 2 of 9

The pertussis toxin:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The pertussis toxin inhibits the adenylate cyclase-mediated conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP, leading to decreased levels of cyclic AMP in the cell. This disrupts important cellular signaling pathways, affecting immune response and causing symptoms of pertussis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the pertussis toxin does not directly affect protein synthesis, provoke overproduction of mucus in tracheal cells, or provoke release of electrolytes.

Question 3 of 9

The cytoplasmic membrane of the eukaryotes, in contrast to the one of prokaryotes, has:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: sterols. Eukaryotic cytoplasmic membranes contain sterols, such as cholesterol, which provide stability and regulate fluidity. This is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from prokaryotic membranes. Cellulose (A) is a component of plant cell walls, not the cytoplasmic membrane. Starch (B) is a carbohydrate used for energy storage in plants. Chitin (C) is a component of fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons, not found in eukaryotic cytoplasmic membranes.

Question 4 of 9

A stool sample from a patient with persistent diarrhea revealed cysts with four nuclei. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This is because it is the only choice that matches the description of cysts with four nuclei, characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that causes amoebiasis, leading to symptoms like persistent diarrhea. The other choices can be eliminated for the following reasons: B: Balantidium coli - It is a ciliated protozoan that causes dysentery in humans but does not produce cysts with four nuclei. C: Giardia lamblia - It is a flagellated protozoan that causes giardiasis, but it forms cysts with only two nuclei. D: Trichomonas hominis - It is a flagellated protozoan found in the human intestine, but it does not produce cysts with four nuclei. Therefore, based on the description of cysts with four nuclei in the stool sample,

Question 5 of 9

The typhoid fever is produced mainly by:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Salmonella typhi. Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. This bacterium is responsible for causing the systemic infection that leads to symptoms such as high fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Yersinia pestis (choice A) causes plague, Shigella dysenteriae (choice B) causes dysentery, and Escherichia coli (choice C) can cause various gastrointestinal infections, but not typhoid fever. Salmonella typhi specifically targets the intestines and is transmitted through contaminated food or water. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer for the cause of typhoid fever.

Question 6 of 9

A patient's blood culture revealed Gram-positive rods capable of spore formation. They were also motile and produced gas in nutrient broth. What is the causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium perfringens. This bacterium fits all the characteristics mentioned: Gram-positive rods with spore formation, motile, and gas production in nutrient broth. Clostridium perfringens is known to cause gas gangrene, which aligns with the gas production in nutrient broth. Bacillus anthracis (B) causes anthrax and does not typically produce gas. Clostridium tetani (C) causes tetanus and does not form spores that are motile. Bacillus cereus (D) is a common cause of food poisoning and does not cause gas gangrene.

Question 7 of 9

Axial filaments consist of

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Axial filaments, also known as endoflagella, are composed of proteins. These proteins form a helical structure that enables certain bacteria, such as spirochetes, to move in a corkscrew-like motion. Proteins are the main structural component of axial filaments due to their flexibility and ability to generate movement. Choice B, polyphosphates, are not typically associated with axial filaments, as they are more involved in energy storage and transfer. Choice C, volutin granules, are storage inclusions of inorganic polyphosphate and are not part of axial filaments. Choice D, carbohydrates, are not the primary component of axial filaments which are protein-based structures responsible for bacterial motility.

Question 8 of 9

A man is ill with a protozoan disease characterized by cerebral affection and loss of sight. Blood analysis revealed halfmoon-shaped unicellular organisms with pointed ends. This disease is caused by:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Toxoplasma. Toxoplasma gondii causes Toxoplasmosis, a protozoan disease that can affect the brain and lead to vision loss. The halfmoon-shaped unicellular organisms with pointed ends described in the blood analysis are characteristic of Toxoplasma parasites. Toxoplasma infection commonly occurs through ingestion of contaminated food or water, or contact with infected cat feces. Leishmania causes Leishmaniasis, Lamblia causes Giardiasis, Amoeba causes Amebiasis, and Trichomonad causes Trichomoniasis, none of which match the symptoms and blood analysis findings described in the question.

Question 9 of 9

A woman hospitalized in the surgical department complains of pain in her lower abdomen and in the small of her back, frequent and painful urination. Urine culture test revealed gram-negative oxidase- positive bacilli that formed green mucoid colonies with specific smell. What causative agent can be suspected?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Proteus mirabilis. The patient's symptoms of lower abdominal pain, back pain, frequent/painful urination, and the presence of gram-negative oxidase-positive bacilli forming green mucoid colonies with a specific smell suggest a urinary tract infection caused by Proteus mirabilis. This bacterium is known for causing UTIs and is characterized by its swarming motility and distinctive odor. A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections but does not typically cause UTIs with the specific characteristics described. B: Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterium that causes respiratory infections, not UTIs. C: Str.pyogenes (Streptococcus pyogenes) is a common cause of strep throat and skin infections, not UTIs. D: Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastritis and peptic ulcers, not UTIs.

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