Which of the following is a key feature of anaerobic bacteria?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because anaerobic bacteria can grow in environments without oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria do not require oxygen for their metabolism and energy production. They can thrive in oxygen-deprived conditions by using alternative electron acceptors. Choice A is incorrect because anaerobic bacteria do not require oxygen to survive. Choice C is incorrect because anaerobic bacteria typically cannot survive in the presence of high concentrations of oxygen. Choice D is incorrect because anaerobic bacteria do not perform photosynthesis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The main function of bacterial pili is to facilitate conjugation and adhesion. Pili are hair-like appendages on bacteria that help in cell-to-cell interactions. They play a crucial role in bacterial conjugation by allowing the transfer of genetic material between cells. Additionally, pili help bacteria adhere to surfaces or host cells, aiding in colonization and biofilm formation. Choices A and D are incorrect because protein synthesis and toxin secretion are not the primary functions of pili. Choice C is incorrect as bacterial motility is mainly mediated by flagella, not pili.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all three bacteria listed produce toxins that cause damage to host tissues. Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin toxin causing tetanus, Vibrio cholerae produces cholera toxin leading to severe diarrhea, and Staphylococcus aureus releases toxins causing tissue damage in various infections. Therefore, all of the above choices are correct in terms of producing toxins that harm host tissues.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. The given characteristics match this bacterium: Gram-positive diplococci, catalase-negative, and alpha-hemolytic. S. pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Other choices are incorrect because Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive, Enterococcus faecalis is not alpha-hemolytic, and Klebsiella pneumoniae is not Gram-positive diplococci.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This is because Entamoeba histolytica is known to cause amebic dysentery, leading to chronic diarrhea. The presence of cysts with four nuclei in the stool sample is characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. Giardia lamblia (choice B) is known to cause diarrhea but does not present with cysts containing four nuclei. Balantidium coli (choice C) is a ciliated protozoan that can cause diarrhea, but it does not have cysts with four nuclei. Trichomonas hominis (choice D) is a non-pathogenic protozoan commonly found in the human colon and is not associated with causing chronic diarrhea or cysts with four nuclei.