Which bacteria produce exotoxins that damage host tissues?

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Question 1 of 9

Which bacteria produce exotoxins that damage host tissues?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium tetani and Bacillus anthracis. Both bacteria produce exotoxins that damage host tissues. Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin, which causes muscle rigidity in tetanus. Bacillus anthracis produces anthrax toxins, leading to tissue damage and systemic effects. Explanation: - Choice B (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) primarily cause infections through other mechanisms and do not produce exotoxins that damage host tissues. - Choice C (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes) are known for causing infections but not primarily through exotoxins that damage host tissues. - Choice D (Salmonella typhi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) cause diseases through different mechanisms and do not produce exotoxins that directly damage host tissues.

Question 2 of 9

An outbreak of food poisoning was recorded in an urban settlement. The illness was diagnosed as botulism on the grounds of clinical presentations. What foodstuffs should be chosen for analysis in the first place in order to confirm the diagnosis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tinned food. Botulism is often caused by the botulinum toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which can be present in improperly canned foods. Analyzing tinned food allows for direct detection of the toxin or bacteria, confirming the diagnosis. Potatoes, pasteurized milk, and boiled meat are less likely sources of botulism compared to tinned food, making them less suitable for initial analysis in this case.

Question 3 of 9

What is the function of bacterial flagella?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Motility. Bacterial flagella function in providing motility to bacteria, allowing them to move towards nutrients or away from harmful substances. Flagella are long, whip-like appendages that rotate to propel the bacteria through their environment. Incorrect choices: A: Protein synthesis - Bacterial flagella are not involved in protein synthesis. C: Adhesion to surfaces - While some bacteria use flagella for attachment, their main function is not adhesion. D: DNA replication - Flagella do not play a role in DNA replication, which occurs in the bacterial cell's nucleus.

Question 4 of 9

Which bacteria produce exotoxins that damage host tissues?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium tetani and Bacillus anthracis. Both bacteria produce exotoxins that damage host tissues. Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin, which causes muscle rigidity in tetanus. Bacillus anthracis produces anthrax toxins, leading to tissue damage and systemic effects. Explanation: - Choice B (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) primarily cause infections through other mechanisms and do not produce exotoxins that damage host tissues. - Choice C (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes) are known for causing infections but not primarily through exotoxins that damage host tissues. - Choice D (Salmonella typhi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) cause diseases through different mechanisms and do not produce exotoxins that directly damage host tissues.

Question 5 of 9

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.

Question 6 of 9

Babesiosis is a vector-borne, malaria-like illness caused by a:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: protozoan. Babesiosis is caused by a protozoan parasite called Babesia. Protozoans are single-celled organisms that can cause various diseases in humans. Babesiosis is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Bacteria (choice A), viruses (choice B), and helminths (choice C) are not responsible for causing babesiosis. Bacteria are typically responsible for diseases like Lyme disease, viruses for illnesses like Zika, and helminths for infections such as parasitic worms. Thus, the correct choice for the causative agent of babesiosis is a protozoan.

Question 7 of 9

The term “infectious process†means “all biological processes carried out after…â€

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the term "infectious process" refers to all biological processes that occur after the attachment and penetration of microbes into the host organism, regardless of whether there are clinical manifestations. This includes the colonization, multiplication, and spread of the microorganisms within the host. Explanation: A: Incorrect because it only mentions the attachment and penetration of microbes into the microorganism, missing the subsequent processes. C: Incorrect because it is too specific, stating that the penetration of microbes always manifests clinically, which is not always the case. D: Incorrect because there is a correct answer, which is B, as explained above.

Question 8 of 9

A worker of a cattle farm consulted a surgeon about fever up to 40oC, headache, weakness. Objective examination of his back revealed hyperaemia and a dark red infiltration up to 5 cm in diameter with black bottom in the center and some pustules. What disease are these presentations typical for?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anthrax. The symptoms of fever, headache, weakness, and the skin lesion described (hyperemic with a dark red infiltration, black center, and pustules) are characteristic of cutaneous anthrax. The black center is known as an eschar. Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, commonly found in cattle. Plague (choice B) typically presents with swollen lymph nodes (buboes) and is caused by Yersinia pestis. Tularemia (choice C) presents with fever, ulcer at the site of infection, and lymphadenopathy, caused by Francisella tularensis. Furuncle (choice D) is a localized skin infection typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus, presenting as a red, swollen, and painful bump.

Question 9 of 9

Bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen are called:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obligate anaerobes. These bacteria cannot survive in the presence of oxygen as they lack the necessary enzymes to detoxify reactive oxygen species. Obligate aerobes (A) require oxygen, facultative anaerobes (B) can grow with or without oxygen, and aerotolerant anaerobes (D) can survive in the presence of oxygen but do not utilize it for growth.

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