Which of the following best describes the role of bacterial plasmids?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Carrying antibiotic resistance genes. Bacterial plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can carry genes, including those for antibiotic resistance. This allows bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics. Plasmids do not directly regulate bacterial growth (A), produce toxins (C), or facilitate endospore formation (D). Plasmids play a crucial role in the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria.

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.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, a gram-negative bacterium that produces a toxin leading to severe watery diarrhea. Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery, not cholera. Salmonella enterica causes salmonellosis, not cholera. Clostridium perfringens is associated with food poisoning, not cholera. In summary, Vibrio cholerae is the correct answer because it is the specific bacterium known to cause cholera, while the other choices are associated with different diseases.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bordetella pertussis. Bordetella pertussis is the bacterium responsible for causing whooping cough, also known as pertussis. It produces toxins that damage the respiratory tract, leading to severe coughing fits. Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are not associated with whooping cough. Haemophilus influenzae can cause respiratory infections but not whooping cough. Streptococcus pneumoniae is known for causing pneumonia, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, both different from whooping cough. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it is the specific bacterium linked to the disease in question.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisseria meningitidis. This is because Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus that is oxidase-positive and fermentative. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is also a Gram-negative diplococcus, but it is not fermentative. Moraxella catarrhalis is oxidase-positive but not fermentative. Haemophilus influenzae is Gram-negative but is not a diplococcus, and it is not fermentative. Therefore, based on the characteristics provided in the question, Neisseria meningitidis is the most likely causative agent.