Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium leprae. This microorganism can only be cultured in the footpads of mice or a species of armadillo due to its specific growth requirements. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (choice A) can be cultured in various culture media in the laboratory. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (choice C) can be cultured on selective media like Thayer-Martin agar. Mycoplasma (choice D) can be cultured in cell cultures or specialized media. Therefore, the unique growth pattern of Mycobacterium leprae makes it the correct answer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because viruses are sensitive to interferon, a natural defense mechanism of the body against viral infections. Interferon helps to inhibit viral replication. A: Viruses are cell-free infectious particles, not living systems. B: Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites as they require host cells to replicate. C: Viruses can have either DNA or RNA as genetic material, which is a characteristic feature.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Capnophilic. Brucella requires a CO2 enriched atmosphere for cultivation, making it capnophilic. This is because Brucella is a microaerophilic bacterium that thrives in low oxygen conditions and elevated CO2 levels. Choice B (Facultative anaerobic) and D (Obligate aerobic) are incorrect as Brucella does not grow well under aerobic conditions. Choice C (Obligate anaerobic) is also incorrect as Brucella can grow in the presence of oxygen, although it prefers low oxygen environments.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Polysaccharide capsule. The capsule of Neisseria meningitidis is crucial for its virulence as it helps the bacteria evade the host immune system by inhibiting phagocytosis. This allows the bacteria to survive and multiply in the host, leading to invasive infections. Exotoxins, beta-lactamase, and pyrogenic toxins are not the main virulence factors of Neisseria meningitidis and do not play as significant a role in its pathogenicity as the polysaccharide capsule.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: "Fried egg" colonies typically refer to colonies with a raised center and flattened periphery, resembling the appearance of a fried egg. Step 2: Actinomycetes are filamentous bacteria known to form "fried egg" colonies in nutrient medium. Step 3: Actinomycetes are commonly found in soil and are known to be phytopathogenic microorganisms. Step 4: Actinomycetes produce secondary metabolites with medicinal properties, making them a likely agent from a medicinal herb. Overall, the correct answer is C (Actinomycetes) as they fit the description provided in the question and are commonly associated with the given scenario. The other choices are incorrect as they do not exhibit the specific characteristics mentioned in the question or are not typically associated with forming "fried egg" colonies in nutrient medium.