Which of the following bacteria is responsible for causing tuberculosis?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is responsible for causing tuberculosis. Mycobacterium leprae (choice A) causes leprosy, not tuberculosis. Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice C) is known for causing pneumonia, not tuberculosis. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (choice D) is responsible for causing gonorrhea, not tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the specific bacterium associated with tuberculosis due to its ability to infect the lungs and other organs, leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disease.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Co-trimoxazole. This drug combination is the first-line treatment for toxoplasmosis due to its efficacy against Toxoplasma gondii. Co-trimoxazole consists of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, which work synergistically to inhibit bacterial and protozoal folate synthesis, effectively treating toxoplasmosis. B: Itraconazole is an antifungal medication and not effective against toxoplasmosis. C: Mebendazole is an anthelmintic drug used for treating parasitic worm infections, not toxoplasmosis. D: Azidothimidine, also known as AZT, is used for treating HIV, not toxoplasmosis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Adhesion and immune evasion. Bacterial capsules serve as a protective layer that aids in adhesion to surfaces and host cells, allowing bacteria to colonize and evade the immune system. This function is crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity. Choices A and D are incorrect because energy production and DNA replication are not primary functions of bacterial capsules. Choice B is incorrect because while bacterial capsules do provide some protection from desiccation, their primary function lies in adhesion and immune evasion.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inactivation. In this method, the sputum sample is processed with a solution of caustic soda, which helps to kill any contaminants present and preserve the tuberculosis bacillus for microscopic examination. This step is crucial in ensuring accurate detection of the bacillus. A: Homogenization involves breaking down the sample to make it uniform, but it does not necessarily involve using caustic soda for inactivation. C: Flotation is a method used to separate different components based on their density and is not specific to inactivating tuberculosis bacillus. D: Filtration involves passing a sample through a filter to separate particles based on size and is not related to inactivating the tuberculosis bacillus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because viruses can indeed be cultured on hen embryos, cell cultures, and experimental animals in vitro. This method allows for the replication and study of viruses outside the host organism. Option A is incorrect as viral cultivation is possible in laboratory settings. Option C is incorrect because while viruses can be grown on nutrient media, it is not the only method. Option D is incorrect as viruses can be cultured in various types of cell cultures, not just human embryonic ones.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The Baltimore classification system categorizes viruses based on their genome type and replication strategy. It divides viruses into seven groups: Group I (dsDNA), Group II (ssDNA), Group III (dsRNA), Group IV (ssRNA(+)), Group V (ssRNA(-)), Group VI (ssRNA-RT), and Group VII (dsDNA-RT). Each group represents a distinct viral genome and replication method. Therefore, the correct answer is C. The other choices are incorrect because the Baltimore classification system specifically identifies viruses into seven groups, not four, five, or nine.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presence of rods with polar dark blue granules stained by Neisser's method indicates metachromatic granules consistent with Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The characteristic staining pattern is due to the presence of polar granules in the bacterial cells, a feature specific to Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium tetani, and Escherichia coli do not exhibit this staining pattern or morphology typical of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, making them incorrect choices.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The Gram stain differentiates bacteria based on cell wall structure. It classifies bacteria into Gram-positive (purple) and Gram-negative (pink) based on the presence of peptidoglycan in the cell wall. This method helps in identifying the bacterial species and determining appropriate treatment. Option A (Cell shape) is incorrect because the Gram stain focuses on cell wall composition, not cell shape. Option C (Flagella composition) is incorrect as the Gram stain does not assess flagella. Option D (Nutrient requirements) is incorrect as it does not relate to the purpose of the Gram stain.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Outer membrane with lipopolysaccharides. Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are important in pathogenesis and immune response. This feature is unique to Gram-negative bacteria, distinguishing them from Gram-positive bacteria (choice A). Teichoic acids (choice C) are found in the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria, not Gram-negative. The statement in choice D, absence of a cell wall, is incorrect as all bacteria have a cell wall, although the composition may vary between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.