Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Mycobacterium leprae is the bacterium responsible for causing leprosy, a chronic infectious disease affecting the skin and nerves. Step 2: Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. Step 3: Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Step 4: Clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene and food poisoning. Summary: A is correct as Mycobacterium leprae specifically causes leprosy, while B, C, and D cause different diseases unrelated to leprosy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Smooth S colonies. Bacteria with long O-specific chains are known as smooth strains, and when cultured on solid growth media, they form smooth colonies due to the presence of the O antigen. This gives them a glossy appearance. Rough R colonies (Choice B) lack O antigen and appear rough. Mucoid -M colonies (Choice C) are associated with capsules, not O-specific chains. H colonies (Choice D) are not relevant to the O-specific chains. Smooth S colonies are the characteristic phenotype of bacteria with long O-specific chains when cultured on solid media.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of atypical pneumonia and is known to be resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. The description of microorganisms forming microscopic colonies with a dense center resembling fried eggs is characteristic of Mycoplasma pneumoniae colonies seen on special media. Summary of other choices: B: Klebsiella pneumoniae is not typically associated with atypical pneumonia and does not exhibit the described colony morphology. C: Streptococcus pneumoniae is not resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and does not produce colonies with the described appearance. D: Legionella pneumophila is associated with Legionnaires' disease, not atypical pneumonia, and does not form colonies resembling fried eggs.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The term bacilli refers to rod-shaped bacteria, typically found in the Gram-positive group. Spore-forming bacteria, such as Bacillus and Clostridium, are characterized by their rod shape. Choice A is incorrect as the color in Gram staining does not define bacilli. Choice C is incorrect as peptidoglycan content does not determine the classification of bacilli. Choice D is incorrect as bacilli do have a specific characteristic. Therefore, the correct answer is B due to the shape and characteristic of spore-forming bacteria.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Cell wall. Penicillin targets the cell wall of bacteria by inhibiting the formation of peptidoglycan, a crucial component of the cell wall. This weakens the cell wall, leading to bacterial cell lysis. Choice A (DNA) is incorrect because penicillin does not directly target DNA. Choice B (Plasma membrane) is incorrect as penicillin primarily affects the cell wall, not the plasma membrane. Choice D (Ribosomes) is incorrect because penicillin does not target bacterial ribosomes, which are involved in protein synthesis.