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: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: bioremediation. Bioremediation is the process of using living organisms to clean up environmental pollution, including industrial wastes. This method utilizes microorganisms, plants, or fungi to break down or neutralize pollutants. Biomining (A) is the process of extracting valuable metals from ores using biological organisms. Biosynthesis (B) refers to the production of complex molecules by living organisms. Bioengineering (D) involves the application of engineering principles to biological systems, not specifically related to cleaning up industrial wastes. Therefore, the most appropriate term for the cleanup of industrial wastes by living organisms is bioremediation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anthrax. Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can form spores that are highly resistant and can survive in the soil for long periods. These spores can remain dormant until they come into contact with a susceptible host, leading to infection. Diphtheria, viral hepatitis, and pertussis are caused by different types of pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that do not have the same ability to persist in soil as anthrax spores. Therefore, the causative agents of these diseases are less likely to exist in the soil for extended periods compared to anthrax spores.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Chitin is a polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi. Bacteria have cell walls made of peptidoglycan, not chitin. Viruses do not have cell walls as they are acellular entities. Therefore, the correct answer is A: fungi.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus epidermidis. The presence of Gram-positive cocci in clusters indicates a staphylococcal species. The fact that the bacteria are catalase-positive and coagulase-negative further narrow it down to Staphylococcus epidermidis, as this species fits all the given characteristics. - Choice B, Staphylococcus aureus, is coagulase-positive. - Choice C, Streptococcus pyogenes, is a streptococcal species, not staphylococcal. - Choice D, Enterococcus faecalis, is a Gram-positive cocci but is catalase-negative and not typically found in clusters.