Which of the following best describes a Gram-negative bacterium?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane with lipopolysaccharides, which is a key characteristic used in Gram staining. This outer membrane is responsible for the pink/red color seen when stained with Gram stain. Choice A is incorrect because Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer. Choice C is incorrect because Gram-negative bacteria stain pink, not purple. Choice D is incorrect because all bacteria have a cell wall, but Gram-negative bacteria have a different structure compared to Gram-positive bacteria.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Acid resistance. Tuberculous bacilli are acid-fast bacilli, meaning they resist decolorization by acid-alcohol after staining with Ziehl-Neelsen stain. This property is due to the high lipid content in the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Alkali resistance (B) and alcohol resistance (C) are not specific properties of tuberculous bacilli. Capsule formation (D) is a characteristic of some bacteria but is not a defining feature of tuberculous bacilli.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: E + S = P. This notation represents the interaction between an enzyme (E) and a substrate (S) resulting in a product (P). Enzymes facilitate chemical reactions by binding to substrates and converting them into products. Choice A is incorrect because it does not include the enzyme in the reaction. Choice B is incorrect as it involves two substrates binding to the enzyme, not a substrate converting to a product. Choice D is incorrect as it shows two substrates reacting to form a product without involvement of an enzyme. Thus, choice C accurately represents the process of enzymatic reactions involving enzymes, substrates, and products.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Shigella dysenteriae. Shigella causes dysentery, characterized by bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain. Shigella is a non-lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rod. B: Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever, not typically associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea. C: Escherichia coli, a common gut bacteria, can cause diarrhea but typically ferments lactose. D: Proteus vulgaris is not a common cause of gastrointestinal infection and is not typically associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. 2. Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted by triatomine bugs. 3. On a blood smear stained with Romanovsky's method, Trypanosoma cruzi appears as trypomastigotes. 4. Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis, not Chagas disease. 5. Leishmania donovani and Leishmania tropica cause different forms of leishmaniasis, not Chagas disease.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane with lipopolysaccharides, which is a key characteristic used in Gram staining. This outer membrane is responsible for the pink/red color seen when stained with Gram stain. Choice A is incorrect because Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer. Choice C is incorrect because Gram-negative bacteria stain pink, not purple. Choice D is incorrect because all bacteria have a cell wall, but Gram-negative bacteria have a different structure compared to Gram-positive bacteria.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Endospore. Endospores are dormant, tough, and non-reproductive structures formed by certain bacteria as a response to unfavorable conditions. They help bacteria survive harsh environments such as extreme temperatures, desiccation, and exposure to harmful chemicals. The other choices, Flagella (A), Capsule (B), and Pili (D), do not directly contribute to bacterial survival in adverse conditions. Flagella aid in bacterial movement, capsules provide protection from immune system attacks, and pili are involved in attachment to surfaces or other cells. Endospores are specifically designed for survival during unfavorable conditions, making them the correct choice in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Two-layer. In gram-positive bacteria, the cell envelope consists of two layers: the thick peptidoglycan layer and the cytoplasmic membrane. The peptidoglycan layer is much thicker compared to gram-negative bacteria, providing structural support and protection. The cytoplasmic membrane is located beneath the peptidoglycan layer and serves as a barrier between the cytoplasm and the external environment. The other choices are incorrect because gram-positive bacteria do have a cell envelope, it is composed of two layers, not three layers, and it is not just a single layer. Choice D is incorrect as it states that there is no cell envelope in gram-positive bacteria, which is not true.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: C. botulinum. The description of gram-positive bacilli with subterminal staining defect and tennis racket appearance is characteristic of Clostridium botulinum. The subterminal staining defect indicates the presence of spores, a feature of Clostridium species. The tennis racket appearance refers to the characteristic shape of C. botulinum spores. Choice B, P. vulgaris, is a gram-negative bacterium and doesn't match the description. Choice C, E. coli, is a gram-negative bacillus and doesn't exhibit the subterminal staining defect described. Choice D, S. aureus, is a gram-positive cocci and does not resemble the tennis racket appearance described.