Which of the following microorganisms are acid-fast?

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Question 1 of 5

Which of the following microorganisms are acid-fast?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacteria have a unique cell wall component called mycolic acid, making them resistant to decolorization by acid-alcohol during staining. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is acid-fast, as it retains the stain due to its high lipid content. Streptococcus pyogenes (A), Clostridium perfringens (C), and Bacillus subtilis (D) do not possess mycolic acid in their cell walls, so they are not acid-fast.

Question 2 of 5

Microscopy of sputum revealed acid-fast bacilli stained red against a blue background using Ziehl-Neelsen staining. What disease does this finding suggest?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presence of acid-fast bacilli stained red against a blue background indicates mycobacteria, specifically Mycobacterium tuberculosis in this case. Ziehl-Neelsen staining is commonly used to detect tuberculosis. Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which does not stain with Ziehl-Neelsen. Pneumonia is a general term for lung infections caused by various pathogens. Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which requires special staining methods different from Ziehl-Neelsen.

Question 3 of 5

Bacteria that grow in the absence of oxygen are called:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Obligate anaerobes. These bacteria cannot survive in the presence of oxygen as they lack the necessary enzymes to detoxify reactive oxygen species. Obligate aerobes (A) require oxygen, facultative anaerobes (B) can grow with or without oxygen, and aerotolerant anaerobes (D) can survive in the presence of oxygen but do not utilize it for growth.

Question 4 of 5

Bacterial transformation involves:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Uptake of naked DNA from the environment. Bacterial transformation is a process where bacteria take up free DNA from their surroundings and incorporate it into their own genome. This process is essential for genetic recombination and the acquisition of new traits. Plasmids are small DNA molecules that can be transferred between bacteria, but not necessarily through pili. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and transfer their DNA, but this is not the primary mechanism of bacterial transformation. Binary fission is a method of bacterial reproduction, not related to the uptake of DNA.

Question 5 of 5

Which type of bacteria can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Certainly! The correct answer is B: Facultative anaerobes. Facultative anaerobes can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments due to their ability to switch between utilizing oxygen for respiration in aerobic conditions and utilizing fermentation or anaerobic respiration in anaerobic conditions. This flexibility allows them to thrive in diverse environments. Explanation for incorrect choices: A: Obligate aerobes require oxygen for respiration and cannot survive in anaerobic environments. C: Obligate anaerobes can only survive in the absence of oxygen and would not thrive in aerobic conditions. D: Microaerophiles require low levels of oxygen to grow and are not as versatile in adapting to varying oxygen levels compared to facultative anaerobes.

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