Micro Module 2 Flashcards


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1

What 2 repeating disaccharide units constitute peptidoglycan?

1. N-acetylglucosamine (NAG)
2. N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)

2

Peptidoglycan synthesis begins in the bacterial cytoplasm. Which molecule is first made as a sugar-building block?

____-____

UDP-NAM

3

What is the purpose of attaching NAM to UDP?

To activate _____ for later _____ _____ synthesis

NAM

cell wall

4

Which lipid carrier helps move peptidoglycan building blocks across the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane?

A. Cholesterol
B. Cardiolipin
C. Bactoprenol
D. Ergosterol

C. Bactoprenol

5

UDP-NAM attaches to bactoprenol through what type of linkage?

A. Peptide bond
B. Glycosidic bond
C. Disulfide bond
D. Pyrophosphate linkage

D. Pyrophosphate linkage

6

When UDP-NAM attaches to bactoprenol, which molecule is released?

_____

UMP

7

After NAM attaches to bactoprenol, what happens next?

The unit is moved across the ____

The unit is moved across the membrane

8

Which enzyme moves the bactoprenol-linked peptidoglycan precursor to the outside surface of the membrane?

_____

Flippase

9

Where is the NAG-NAM disaccharide added to the growing peptidoglycan chain?

A. Inside the nucleus
B. In the bacterial cytoplasm
C. Outside the plasma membrane
D. Inside the mitochondria

C. Outside the plasma membrane

10

Which sequence best summarizes peptidoglycan synthesis?

A. Cross-link peptides → make UDP-NAM → flip bactoprenol → attach NAG-NAM
B. Make UDP-NAM → attach to bactoprenol → flip outside → add to peptidoglycan
C. Attach to ribosome → make protein → export protein → form capsule
D. Make Lipid A → attach O antigen → flip LPS → form outer membrane

B. Make UDP-NAM → attach to bactoprenol → flip outside → add to peptidoglycan

11

Transpeptidation in peptidoglycan synthesis mainly refers to what process?

A. Sugar activation
B. Peptide cross-linking
C. Bactoprenol flipping
D. NAM synthesis

B. Peptide cross-linking

12

The transpeptidation reaction forms a bond between peptide side chains attached to which sugar?

_____

NAM

13

The free amine used in transpeptidation is usually located on which position of the pentapeptide?

_____

3rd

14

In many Gram-positive bacteria, the 3rd-position amino acid involved in cross-linking is commonly ______.

Lysine

15

The 3rd-position amino acid cross-links to which residue on a neighboring chain?

A. 1st-position alanine
B. 2nd-position glutamate
C. 4th-position D-alanine
D. 5th-position D-alanine

C. 4th-position D-alanine

16

What happens to the terminal D-alanine during transpeptidation?

A. It becomes NAG
B. It is released
C. It binds UDP
D. It becomes bactoprenol

B. It is released

17

Which enzyme performs the transpeptidation reaction?

Transpeptidase

18

Penicillin-binding proteins are important because they normally function as _____.

Transpeptidases

19

Beta-lactam antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth mainly by blocking:

A. NAM production
B. NAG transport
C. Peptidoglycan cross-linking
D. Folate synthesis

C. Peptidoglycan cross-linking

20

Lipoteichoic and teichoic acids are assembled from activated building blocks on the _____ and then translocated to the outer surface

bactoprenol

21

Which organism is the most likely cause of hemorrhagic colitis?

A. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
B. Escherichia coli O157:H7
C. Shigella sonnei
D. Campylobacter jejuni

B. Escherichia coli O157:H7

22

Which constituent of the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall is responsible for sequestration of Ca²⁺ ions?

____ ____

Teichoic acid

23

Unlike most Gram-negative bacteria, Neisseria species contain which endotoxin in their outer membrane?

_______ (____)

Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)

24

A light microscope has a resolution of ____ μm

0.2 μm

25

The diameter of a red blood cell is ____ μm

7

26

Where does ATP production occur in prokaryotes?

____

cytoplasm

27

What bacteria cannot be classified by Gram staining?

____

____

Mycobacteria

Mycoplasma

28

Where are bacterial chromosomes present in the cell?

____

nucleoid

29

The prokaryotic ribosome consists of _____ and _____ subunits, forming a _____ ribosome

30S, 50S

70S

30

The eukaryotic ribosome consists of _____ and _____ subunits, forming a _____ ribosome

40S, 60S

80S

31

What is the difference between cytoplasmic membranes of eukaryotes and prokaryotes?

Eukaryotes- _____ _____
Prokaryotes- _____ _____

Eukaryotes- contain sterols
Prokaryotes- no sterols

32

Mycoplasma contains no _____

peptidoglycan

33

Peptidoglycan can be degraded by _____

lysozyme

34

lysozyme is found in human _____ and _____.

lysozyme cleaves _____ backbone of peptidoglycan

tears and mucus

glycan

35

Lysozyme is able to cleave the ____-1,4 ____ linkage in peptidoglycan

β-1,4 glycosidic

36

The presence of peptidoglycan in the cell well protects bacteria from damage against ____ ____.

osmotic pressure

37

______= Gram-negative cell with the outer membrane disrupted and peptidoglycan largely removed

______ = Gram-positive cell with the cell wall completely removed

spheroplast

protoplast

38

Removal of a cell wall produces a _____ that _____ unless it is osmotically stabilized

protoplast

lyses

39

What is the periplasmic space in gram negative baceteria?

It is the space between the:

1. _____ membrane

2. _____ membrane

1. Cytoplasmic membrane

2. Outer membrane

40

What is the function of the periplasmic space?

1. Contains components of transport systems for ______ and ______
2. Contains ______ enzymes

1. Contains components of transport systems for iron and sugars
2. Contains hydrolytic enzymes

41

What genus causes rabbit/deer fever, AKA tularemia?

_____

Francisella

42

Lipoteichoic acid is only present in gram-______ bacteria. Lipoteichoic acid is anchored in the ______ ______ and extend towards the exterior

gram-positive

cytoplasmic membrane

43

In bacteria, immediately external to the cytoplasmic membrane is _______.

peptidoglycan

44

The Shwartzman reaction is the event that occurs in disseminated _____ coagulation when there is a release of a large amount of _____.

intravascular

endotoxin

45

What protein restricts the entry of large and hydrophobic molecules across the outer membrane?

_____

porin

46

The outer membrane is connected to the _____ _____ at adhesion sites and is tied to the _____ by _____.

The outer membrane is connected to the cytoplasmic membrane at adhesion sites and is tied to the peptidoglycan by lipoprotein

47

Disruption of the outer membrane can provide entry of _____ to produce _____

lysozyme

spheroplasts

48

The capsule and slime layer of the cell are both usually made up of _____

polysaccharides

49

Bacillus anthracis produces a _____ capsule

polypeptide

50

_____ _____ will produce a polysaccharide biofilm when sufficient numbers are present. When sufficient numbers are present, this is referred to as a _____.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa will produce a polysaccharide biofilm when sufficient numbers are present. When sufficient numbers are present, this is referred to as a quorum

51

A _____ is a sticky protective layer that helps bacteria attach to surfaces and resist antibiotics, immune cells, and disinfectants.

biofilm

52

_____ _____ forms a _____ and _____ biofilm which promotes adhesion to tooth enamel and forms tooth-like plaque

Streptococcus mutans

dextran

levan

53

What determines if a bacteria swims or tumbles when trying to find a chemoattractant?

____ of ____ spinning

direction of flagellar spinning

54

What is the role of fimbriae?

promote adherence of _____ to _____ _____

bacteria

cell surface

55

What are the 3 constituents of LPS?

1. ____ ____ (responsible for ____ activity)
2. ____ ____
3. ____ ____

1. Lipid A (responsible for endotoxin activity)
2. Core polysaccharide
3. O antigen

56

During cell division, the production of 2 daughter bacteria requires growth and extension of the cell wall components followed by the production of a ____ to divide the 2 cells.

For streptococci, the growth zone is located ____o from each other and for staphylococci, the growth zone is located ____o from each other

septum

180

90

57

The outer coat of a spore contains the protein _____

keratin

58

How do spores form?

depletion of specific ______ (______) from the ______ medium

depletion of specific nutrients (alanine) from the growth medium

59

What makes the mycobacterial cell wall unusually waxy and acid-fast?

A. Teichoic acid
B. Mycolic acid
C. Lipooligosaccharide
D. Capsule polysaccharide

B. Mycolic acid

60

In mycobacteria, peptidoglycan is covalently attached to which polymer?

A. Arabinogalactan
B. Lipid A
C. KDO
D. D-Ala-D-Ala

A. Arabinogalactan

61

Bacitracin inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis by blocking recycling of:

A. D-Ala-D-Ala
B. Transpeptidase
C. Phosphobactoprenol
D. Arabinogalactan

C. Phosphobactoprenol

62

Penicillin acts as a structural analog of which peptidoglycan component?

A. NAG-NAM
B. D-Ala-D-Ala
C. KDO
D. Mycolic acid

B. D-Ala-D-Ala

63

Why does transpeptidase bind penicillin?

A. Penicillin resembles D-Ala-D-Ala
B. Penicillin resembles teichoic acid
C. Penicillin resembles Lipid A
D. Penicillin resembles arabinogalactan

A. Penicillin resembles D-Ala-D-Ala

64

What happens after transpeptidase binds penicillin?

A. Peptidoglycan cross-linking increases
B. Transpeptidase is inactivated
C. Bactoprenol recycling increases
D. Mycolic acid synthesis increases

B. Transpeptidase is inactivated

65

The core region of LPS contains which phosphorylated sugar?

A. D-alanine
B. N-acetylglucosamine
C. 2-keto-3-deoxy-octanoate
D. Arabinose

C. 2-keto-3-deoxy-octanoate

66

Why are Neisseria species more susceptible to host-mediated complement lysis?

They lack the ___-antigen portion of ___

They lack the O-antigen portion of LPS

67

In Neisseria, lack of O antigen allows LOS aggregates to be shed, which reduces:

A. Ribosomal protection
B. Complement protection
C. DNA replication
D. Spore formation

B. Complement protection

68

What can stimulate germination of a bacterial spore into the vegetative state?

______ of the outer ______-like protein coat

Disruption of the outer keratin-like protein coat

69

______ stress or ______ changes can trigger spore germination.

Mechanical

pH

70

About how long does spore germination take?

A. 5 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 90 minutes
D. 24 hours

C. 90 minutes

71

A bacterium has a structure that can be targeted by both the immune system and antibiotics. Which structure is being described?

____ ____

Cell wall

72

Gram-positive bacteria have a much thicker cell wall due to increased amounts of what?

A. Lipopolysaccharide

B. Peptidoglycan

C. Sterols

D. Mycolic acid

B. Peptidoglycan

73

Which structure is present in gram-positive bacterial cell walls?

A. Lipopolysaccharide

B. Lipoteichoic acid

C. Outer membrane

D. Sterols

B. Lipoteichoic acid

74

Which bacterium does not Gram stain because it lacks a cell wall?

A. Mycoplasma

B. Mycobacteria

C. Bacillus

D. Neisseria

A. Mycoplasma

75

Mycoplasma lacks a cell wall but maintains membrane stability using what?

A. Mycolic acids

B. Lipopolysaccharide

C. Sterols

D. Teichoic acids

C. Sterols

76

Which bacteria have cell walls containing mycolic acid?

A. Mycobacteria

B. Mycoplasma

C. Neisseria

D. Streptococcus

A. Mycobacteria

77

Mycobacteria are best visualized using which special stain?

A. Gram stain

B. Capsule stain

C. Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast stain

D. India ink stain

C. Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast stain

78

Why do mycobacteria require an acid-fast stain instead of a standard Gram stain?

A. They lack ribosomes

B. Their cell walls contain mycolic acid

C. They contain endotoxin

D. They have no cell membrane

B. Their cell walls contain mycolic acid

79

Mycobacteria include organisms that cause which diseases?

A. Syphilis and Lyme disease

B. Cholera and plague

C. Botulism and tetanus

D. Tuberculosis and leprosy

D. Tuberculosis and leprosy

80

Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation occur on which bacterial structure?

_____ _____

Cell membrane

81

Gram-negative bacteria can resist some antibiotics because enzymes are located in which space?

______

Periplasm

82

β-lactamase in the periplasm of gram-negative bacteria helps resist which type of treatment?

A. Antiviral therapy

B. Antifungal therapy

C. β-lactam antibiotic therapy

D. Antiprotozoal therapy

C. β-lactam antibiotic therapy

83

Which molecule on the surface of gram-negative bacteria drives a strong immune response?

A. Lipopolysaccharide

B. Sterol

C. Teichoic acid

D. Peptidoglycan

A. Lipopolysaccharide

84

Lipopolysaccharide is found on which structure?

A. Gram-positive cell wall

B. Mycoplasma membrane

C. Outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria

D. Cytoplasmic membrane of gram-negative bacteria

C. Outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria

85

Which part of lipopolysaccharide is a major antibody target?

A. O antigen

B. Lipid A

C. Core polysaccharide

D. Peptidoglycan

A. O antigen

86

IgG antibodies bind bacterial capsules and promote phagocytosis through which receptor interaction?

A. T-cell receptors

B. Fc receptors

C. B-cell receptors

D. Sterol receptors

B. Fc receptors

87

IgG binding to a bacterial capsule can also promote which immune pathway?

A. Histamine release

B. Complement binding

C. Viral budding

D. Fungal dimorphism

B. Complement binding

88

Lack of B cells, antibodies, or complement increases susceptibility to which type of bacterial infection?

A. Encapsulated bacterial infections

B. Intracellular viral infections

C. Dimorphic fungal infections

D. Spirochetal infections

A. Encapsulated bacterial infections

89

Asplenia increases the risk of sepsis from which type of bacteria?

A. Acid-fast bacteria

B. Anaerobic bacteria

C. Intracellular bacteria

D. Encapsulated bacteria

D. Encapsulated bacteria

90

Why does asplenia increase susceptibility to encapsulated bacteria?

A. Loss of thymic selection

B. Loss of neutrophil oxidative burst

C. Loss of splenic phagocytes

D. Loss of T-cell receptors

C. Loss of splenic phagocytes

91

Which set contains classic encapsulated organisms remembered by SHiNS?

A. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Salmonella

B. Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Shigella

C. Streptococcus pyogenes, Histoplasma, Nocardia, Salmonella

D. Shigella, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Staphylococcus epidermidis

A. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Salmonella

92

Bacterial capsular polysaccharides are the basis for many what?

A. Gram stains

B. Acid-fast stains

C. Antibiotic resistance genes

D. Vaccines

D. Vaccines

93

Which organisms are commonly targeted by polysaccharide capsule-based vaccines?

A. Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Neisseria gonorrhoeae

B. Shigella, Salmonella, Bacillus anthracis

C. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis

D. Mycoplasma, Mycobacteria, Trichophyton

C. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis

94

A bacterium has an irregular, fuzzy outer layer. Which structure is being described?

______

Glycocalyx

95

A bacterium has a distinct, firmly attached gelatinous layer. Which structure is being described?

______

Capsule

96

Pili or fimbriae in E. coli help cause which infections?

A. Meningitis and encephalitis

B. Pneumonia and endocarditis

C. Syphilis and Lyme disease

D. UTIs and pyelonephritis

D. UTIs and pyelonephritis

97

Small DNA elements within bacteria that replicate independently are called _____.

Plasmids

98

Plasmids can carry genes for _____ resistance or _____.

antibiotic

toxins

99

Why are plasmids clinically important?

They can transfer _____ _____ between bacteria

They can transfer survival genes between bacteria

100

Some bacteria can enter a dormant survival state called what?

Spore

101

What is true of bacteria in spore form?

A. They are metabolically hyperactive

B. They immediately divide

C. They replicate viruses

D. They can survive long periods in extreme conditions

D. They can survive long periods in extreme conditions

102

The middle layer, or cortex, of a bacterial spore is made of what?

A. Mycolic acid

B. Lipopolysaccharide

C. Peptidoglycan

D. Sterols

C. Peptidoglycan

103

The core of a bacterial spore contains _____, _____, and _____ enzymes

DNA, ribosomes, glycolytic

104

Which genera are known as spore-forming bacteria?

____ and ____

Bacillus and Clostridium

105

Spore-forming Bacillus and Clostridium are usually classified as what?

gram-____ bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria

106

What substance is present in the core of a bacterial spore?

_____ bound to dipicolinic acid

Ca2+ bound to dipicolinic acid

107

Which bacteria have branched filamentous appearances?

A. Neisseria and Streptococcus pneumoniae

B. Bacillus and Clostridium

C. Nocardia and Actinomyces

D. Staphylococcus and E. coli

C. Nocardia and Actinomyces

108

Which bacteria are classically diplococci?

A. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria

B. Nocardia and Actinomyces

C. Bacillus and Clostridium

D. E. coli and Salmonella

A. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria

109

Which bacterium classically forms chains?

A. Staphylococcus aureus

B. Neisseria meningitidis

C. Bacillus anthracis

D. Streptococcus pyogenes

D. Streptococcus pyogenes

110

A spherical bacterium is called what?

A. Bacillus

B. Coccus

C. Spirillum

D. Spore

B. Coccus

111

A rod-shaped bacterium is called what?

A. Coccus

B. Spirillum

C. Bacillus

D. Diplococcus

C. Bacillus

112

A snakelike bacterium is called what?

A. Spirillum

B. Coccus

C. Bacillus

D. Spore

A. Spirillum

113

In the gram-negative outer membrane, what makes up the outer leaflet?

_____

Endotoxin

114

In the gram-negative outer membrane, what makes up the inner leaflet?

_____

Phospholipids

115

Which ions help hold the gram-negative outer membrane together by linking phosphates on LPS?

______ and ______

Mg2+ and Ca2+

116

Which interaction helps stabilize the gram-negative outer membrane?

______ interactions between ______ and ______

Hydrophobic interactions between LPS and proteins

117

During Gram staining, which stain is applied first?

_____ _____

Crystal violet

118

During Gram staining, crystal violet is precipitated with which substance?

_____

Iodine

119

During Gram staining, unbound and excess stain is removed using what?

______-based decolorizer and ______

Acetone-based decolorizer and water

120

Serotyping bacteria involves distinguishing bacteria using antibodies against what?

A. Ribosomal subunits

B. Characteristic antigens

C. Mitochondrial proteins

D. Host cytokines

B. Characteristic antigens

121

What is the purpose of safranin in Gram staining?

A. To stain decolorized cells red

B. To precipitate crystal violet

C. To dissolve mycolic acid

D. To form spores

A. To stain decolorized cells red

122

Which organisms do not contain a peptidoglycan cell wall?

A. Bacillus and Clostridium

B. Streptococcus and Neisseria

C. Staphylococcus and E. coli

D. Archaea and mycoplasms

D. Archaea and mycoplasms

123

Teichoic acids in gram-positive bacteria are what type of molecules?

A. Neutral lipid droplets

B. Water-soluble anionic polymers of polyol phosphates

C. Sterol-rich membrane anchors

D. Protein toxins

B. Water-soluble anionic polymers of polyol phosphates

124

Teichoic acids are covalently linked to which bacterial structure?

_____

Peptidoglycan

125

Why are teichoic acids important in gram-positive bacteria?

They are essential to _____ viability

They are essential to cell viability

126

Which gram-positive cell wall component is linked to innate immune activation?

A. O antigen

B. Lipoteichoic acid

C. Sterol

D. Plasmid

B. Lipoteichoic acid

127

Which bacterial structure is most associated with antibiotic resistance gene transfer?

_____

Plasmid

128

Do gram-negative bacterial cell walls contain teichoic or lipoteichoic acids?

No

129

What is one major function of the gram-negative outer membrane?

A. Production of ribosomes

B. Formation of spores

C. Storage of plasmids

D. Permeable barrier

D. Permeable barrier

130

The outer leaflet of the gram-negative outer membrane contains which molecule

A. Teichoic acid

B. Lipopolysaccharide

C. Sterols

D. Mycolic acid

B. Lipopolysaccharide

131

Lipopolysaccharide in gram-negative bacteria stimulates which host response?

A. Innate immune response

B. Somatic hypermutation

C. T-cell receptor rearrangement

D. Antibody class switching

A. Innate immune response

132

A gram-negative bacterium triggers a strong innate immune response through LPS. Where is this LPS located?

A. Inner leaflet of cytoplasmic membrane

B. Peptidoglycan cortex

C. Outer leaflet of outer membrane

D. Bacterial chromosome

C. Outer leaflet of outer membrane

133

Porins in the gram-negative outer membrane allow diffusion of which molecules?

A. Hydrophobic molecules

B. Large proteins only

C. Steroid hormones only

D. Hydrophilic molecules

D. Hydrophilic molecules

134

A small _____ molecule crosses the gram-_____ outer membrane through porin.

A small hydrophilic molecule crosses the gram-negative outer membrane through porin.

135

The bacterial flagellum is best described as what?

A. An external structure used for movement

B. A DNA element that carries resistance genes

C. A polysaccharide layer used for immune evasion

D. A membrane pore for hydrophilic molecules

A. An external structure used for movement

136

A bacterium living in a biofilm becomes harder for antibiotics and immune cells to eliminate. What is the main advantage of the biofilm?

A. Increased oxygen use

B. Increased sporulation

C. Protection

D. Loss of virulence

C. Protection

137

Transpeptidases and carboxypeptidases involved in peptidoglycan synthesis are targets of which antibiotics?

A. Macrolides and a-lactam antibiotics

B. Tetracyclines and a-lactam antibiotics

C. Fluoroquinolones and β-lactam antibiotics

D. Penicillins and β-lactam antibiotics

D. Penicillins and β-lactam antibiotics

138

Penicillin and β-lactam antibiotics target enzymes involved in which process?

Peptidoglycan ______

Peptidoglycan synthesis

139

A bacterium forms spores. It is most likely classified as which Gram stain type?

Gram-positive

140

A bacterial spore contains how many peptidoglycan layers?

Two

141

Which structure is part of a bacterial spore?

A. Outer membrane with LPS

B. Sterol-rich membrane only

C. Inner membrane

D. Teichoic acid layer

C. Inner membrane

142

High concentrations of dipicolinic acid in bacterial spores help stabilize contents by binding what?

A. Sodium

B. Magnesium

C. Potassium

D. Calcium

D. Calcium

143

Which spore component helps stabilize the spore contents by binding calcium?

A. Peptidoglycan

B. Dipicolinic acid

C. Lipopolysaccharide

D. Porin

B. Dipicolinic acid

144

Which sequence best describes bacterial cell division?

A. Cell wall growth and extension → septum formation → two daughter bacteria

B. Septum formation → loss of cell wall → viral budding

C. Spore coat formation → LPS release → two daughter bacteria

D. Flagellar movement → capsule loss → chromosome deletion

A. Cell wall growth and extension → septum formation → two daughter bacteria

145

____ is so important that many bacteria secrete special proteins called ____ to concentrate ____ from dilute solutions

Iron

siderophores

iron

146

What organism causes gas gangrene?

____ ____

Clostridium Perfringes

147

What are obligate anaerobes?

organisms that ____ grow in the presence of ____ (____ ____)

cannot

O2

Clostridium perfringens

148

What are obligate aerobes?

organisms that require ____ for metabolism and growth

O2

149

What are facultative anaerobes?

1. May use ____ as a terminal ____ ____ to generate ____

2. Can also use ____ and other ____ -independent pathways

May use O2 as a terminal electron acceptor to generate ATP

Can also use fermentation and other O2-independent pathways

150

Aerobic bacteria produce the following 2 enzymes:

1. _____ _____

2. _____

1. Superoxide dismutase

2. Catalase

151

What are autotrophs?

_____ that can rely solely on _____ chemicals for their energy and source of carbon

bacteria

inorganic

152

What are heterotrophs?

_____ and _____ cells that require _____ carbon sources

bacteria and animal cells that require organic carbon sources

153

The _____ species can improve the function of the normal GI flora

Lactobacillus

154

______: small molecules are assembled into large ones using energy

Anabolism

155

______: substrate breakdown and conversion into usable energy

Catabolism

156

______ of the colon can select for and promote the growth of beneficial ______ -producing endogenous bacteria

Acidification

lactate

157

Electrochemical energy is stored by the _____ of _____ to _____

reduction

NAD

NADH

158

What enzyme drives the spinning of flagella and drives the conversion of ADP into ATP?

_____ _____

ATP synthase

159

1. What is the most efficient way in which bacteria can produce energy from glucose?

2. What is the least efficient way in which bacteria can produce energy from glucose?

Aeorobic respiration

Fermentation

160

Fermentation results in the conversion of _____ into _____ and _____

yeast

ethanol

CO2

161

Alcoholic fermentation uses the one-step conversion of _____ acid into _____ acid

pyruvic

lactic

162

What is the theoretical yield from each molecule of pyruvate in the TCA cycle?

____ NADH

____ FADH2

____ CO2

____ GTP

3 NADH

1 FADH2

2 CO2

1 GTP

163

Acetyl CoA enters the TCA cycle by combining with _____ to form the molecule _____

oxaloacetate

citrate

164

What is the most efficient mechanism for the generation of ATP?

TCA cycle

165

Fermentation produces only _____ ATP molecules per glucose.

Aerobic metabolism with ETC and a complete TCA cycle can generate as much as _____ ATP molecules from the same starting material

2

38

166

Deamination of glutamic acid yields _______ and deamination of aspartic acid yields _______

a-ketoglutarate

oxaloacetate

167

The ETC resides in the ____ ____ of bacteria.

It uses electrons obtained from ____ and ____ to produce a transmembrane proton electrochemical gradient that drives the ____ ____ and powers transport and flagella

plasma membrane

NADH, FADH2

ATP synthase

168

What is the function of the pentose phosphate pathway (HMP shunt)?

1. Provides _____ _____ precursors

2. Provides a source of _____

nucleic acid

NADPH

169

The normal flora of our body process complex carbohydrates and releases _____-_____ _____ _____ as products of _____

short-chain fatty acids

fermentation

170

The bacterial DNA-dependent RNA Polymerase is inhibited by _____ which is an antibiotic often used in the treatment of _____

rifampin

tuberculosis

171

How does bacterial protein synthesis begin?

binding of the:

1. ____ ribosomal subunit and the

2. Special initiator ____ for formyl methionine (____) at the ____ start codon to form the initiation complex

30s

tRNA, f-met, AUG

172

Increased cAMP levels indicate ____ ____ levels

low glucose

173

The _____ sequence of the tRNA binds to the _____ sequence on the mRNA

anticodon

codon

174

The trigger for biofilm production by Pseudomonas spp. is triggered by a critical concentration of N-acyl homoserine lactone (_____) produced when sufficient numbers of bacteria are present.

Activation of biofilm, toxin production, and more virulent behavior by Staphylococcus aureus accompanies the increase in concentration of a _____ _____.

AHL

cyclic peptide

175

What class of drugs are 30s ribosomal subunit inhibitors?

1. _____ (_____ and _____)

2. _____

1. Aminoglycosides (streptomycin and gentamicin)

2. Tetracyclines

176

What class of drugs are 50s ribosomal subunit inhibitors?

1. _____

2. _____ (_____)

3. _____ (_____)

4. _____

1. Chloramphenicol

2. Lincosamide (clindamycin)

3. Macrolides (erythromycin)

4. Linezolid

177

_____ peptides are chemotactic and attract neutrophils to the site of infection

fmet

178

What is the role of a repressor protein?

binds to a specific ____ sequence within the ____, blocking ____ ____ from initiating ____ at the ____ sequence

binds to a specific DNA sequence within the operator, blocking RNA polymerase from initiating transcription at the promoter sequence

179

In the lac operon, what occurs when there is an absence of lactose?

repressor protein binds to the _____ sequence

operator

180

In the lac operon, what occurs when there is an absence of glucose?

1. _____ binds to catabolite activator protein (CAP)

2. CAP-cAMP complex enhances binding of _____ _____ to the promoter = _____ _____

1. CAMP binds to catabolite activator protein (CAP)

2. CAP-cAMP complex enhances binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter = increased transcription

181

When are Salmonella pathogenicity islands turned on?

1. High _____

2. Low _____

These conditions are present in the GI tract/endosomal vesicle within a macrophage

1. High osmolarity

2. Low O2

182

What can activate expression of hemolysin in E. coli or diphtheria toxin from Corynebacterium diphtheriae?

low ____ levels

iron

183

for lac operon

No _____→ repressor bound → operon _____
_____ present → repressor removed → operon can turn _____

No allolactose → repressor bound → operon OFF
Allolactose present → repressor removed → operon can turn ON

184

In DNA synthesis, the _____ strand is synthesized _____ whereas the lagging strand is synthesized as many pieces of DNA using _____ _____ , creating _____ fragments

leading, continously

RNA primers, Okazaki

185

The lagging strand DNA must be extended in the ____' to ____' direction as its ____ becomes available. Then, DNA pieces are connected via the enzyme ____ ____

5' to 3'

template

DNA ligase

186

What is the role of DNA topoisomerase?

creates ____ in the ____ to add or remove ____ in the ____

creates breaks in the helix to add or remove supercoils in the DNA

187

What class of drugs targets topoisomerases in prokaryotes

_____ antibiotics

fluoroquinolone

188

Depletion of metabolites or a buildup of toxic by-products triggers production of chemical ______

alarmones

189

When bacteria are added to a new medium, they require time to adapt to the new environment before they begin _____. This phase is known as the _____ _____ of growth.

dividing

lag phase

190

During the ____ ____ phase, the bacteria will grow and divide with a doubling time

log exponential

191

1. What occurs in a transition base change?

___ to ___ or ___ to ___

2. What occurs in a transversion base change?

___ to ___ or ___ to ___

purine to purine or pyrimidine to pyrimidine

purine to pyrimidine or pyrimidine to purine

192

What are the 3 proteins in which the lac operon can be transcribed and translated into?

_____- β galactosidase

_____- permease

_____- acetylase

LacZ

LacY

LacA

193

An E. coli cell is exposed to a high intracellular concentration of tryptophan. During transcription of the trp operon leader region, the ribosome moves quickly through the leader peptide. Which RNA hairpin forms?

A. Regions 1 and 2
B. Regions 2 and 3
C. Regions 3 and 4
D. Regions 1 and 4

C. Regions 3 and 4

194

In the trp operon, formation of the 3–4 hairpin loop causes which outcome?

A. Increased translation of tryptophan biosynthetic enzymes
B. Premature termination of transcription
C. Binding of allolactose to the repressor
D. Activation of CAP-cAMP

B. Premature termination of transcription

195

An E. coli cell has low intracellular tryptophan levels. The ribosome stalls at the tryptophan codons in the leader peptide. Which hairpin forms, allowing transcription to continue?

A. Regions 2 and 3
B. Regions 3 and 4
C. Regions 1 and 4
D. Regions 1 and 3

A. Regions 2 and 3

196

What occurs in a silent mutation?

a change at the ____ level that codes for the ____ amino acid

DNA

same

197

What occurs in a missense mutation?

1. Results in a _____ amino acid

2. Called a _____ mutation if _____ amino acid has similar chemical structure

new

conserved, new

198

What occurs in a nonsense mutation?

results in an _____ _____ _____

early stop codon

199

A small deletion or insertion that is not in multiples of three produces a _____ mutation.

This results in a change in the reading frame, usually leading to a useless _____ and premature truncation of the _____.

frameshift

peptide, protein

200

What occurs in a Null mutation?

1. Arise when there is an extensive insertion, deletion, or gross rearrangement of _____ structure

2. Completely destroys _____ function

chromosome

gene

201

Heat can induce mutations by causing ____ of ____

deamination

nucleotides

202

DNA-reactive chemicals such as ____ ____ act directly on the DNA to change the chemical structure of the base

nitrous acid

203

A researcher exposes bacterial DNA to 5-bromouracil (5-BrU). Which property of 5-BrU is primarily responsible for its mutagenic effect?

It can base-pair with ____ instead of ____

guanine

adenine

204

5-Bromouracil is classified as which type of mutagen?

A. Alkylating agent
B. Intercalating agent
C. Nucleotide-base analog
D. Depurinating agent

C. Nucleotide-base analog

205

Ethidium bromide causes mutations primarily by which mechanism?

_____ between stacked DNA bases

Inserts

206

What occurs in base excision repair?

1. Base specific _____ removed altered base and creates AP site
2. AP _____ removes faulty nucleotides and cleaves 5' end
3. AP _____ cleaves 3' end
4. DNA _____ fills the gap and DNA _____ seals it

glycoslyase

endonuclease

Lyase

Polymerase, ligase

207

What occurs in recombinational/postreplication repair?

replaces a damaged or missing section of DNA with the ____ or ____ sequences that may be present during replication

same or similar

208

CRISPR/Cas9 is used to protect the bacterial chromosome against integration of ______ and ______ plasmids

bacteriophages

foreign

209

Borrelia burgdorferi possess _____ genomes and _____ .

causative agent of _____ disease

linear, plasmids

Lyme

210

What are bacteriophages?

bacterial viruses with a _____ or _____ genome usually protected by a _____ or _____ shell

DNA or RNA

membrane, protein

211

What are the 2 ways in which bacteriophages infect?

1. _____ infection- replicate in large numbers and cause the cell to lyse

2. _____ state- integrate into host cell without killing

Lytic

Lysogenic

212

What are transposons?

a ____ sequence that can change its ____ within a genome

DNA

position

213

What occurs in transformation?

bacteria take up fragments of naked _____ and _____ them into their own genomes

DNA

incorporate

214

The _____ _____ surface antigen is produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

hepatitis b

215

An F⁺ E. coli cell conjugates with an F⁻ cell. Which structure allows the F⁺ cell to attach to the F⁻ cell?

A. Flagellum
B. Sex pilus
C. Endospore coat
D. Peptidoglycan bridge

B. Sex pilus

216

In standard F⁺ × F⁻ bacterial conjugation, what is transferred to the recipient cell?

A. The entire donor chromosome
B. Only ribosomal RNA genes
C. A few chromosomal genes near oriC
D. A single strand of F plasmid DNA

D. A single strand of F plasmid DNA

217

Does standard F⁺ × F⁻ conjugation transfer chromosomal DNA?

A. No, only plasmid DNA is transferred
B. Yes, the entire chromosome is transferred
C. Yes, but only if the recipient already has an F plasmid
D. No DNA is transferred; only proteins are exchanged

A. No, only plasmid DNA is transferred

218

After successful F⁺ × F⁻ conjugation, what usually happens to the recipient cell?

A. It remains F⁻ because plasmids cannot replicate
B. It becomes HFr because the chromosome is deleted
C. It becomes F⁺ because it receives the F plasmid
D. It loses its ability to undergo conjugation

C. It becomes F⁺ because it receives the F plasmid

219

The F plasmid contains genes required for which major process?

A. Antibiotic degradation
B. Sex pilus formation and conjugation
C. Endospore formation
D. Capsule synthesis

B. Sex pilus formation and conjugation

220

A bacterium has its F plasmid integrated into the bacterial chromosome. What is this cell called?

A. F⁻ cell
B. R plasmid cell
C. Competent cell
D. HFr cell

D. HFr cell

221

In an HFr cell, where is the F factor located?

A. Integrated into the bacterial chromosome
B. Floating separately in the cytoplasm
C. Inside the recipient bacterium only
D. Attached to the outer membrane as a pilus

A. Integrated into the bacterial chromosome

222

An HFr cell conjugates with an F⁻ cell. Which DNA is most likely transferred first?

A. Random fragments of recipient DNA
B. Only the last portion of the bacterial chromosome
C. The leading portion of the integrated F factor followed by nearby chromosomal genes
D. Only circular double-stranded chromosomal DNA

C. The leading portion of the integrated F factor followed by nearby chromosomal genes

223

In HFr × F⁻ conjugation, why does the recipient usually remain F⁻?

A. The recipient destroys all incoming chromosomal DNA
B. The entire F factor usually is not completely transferred
C. The F plasmid cannot initiate DNA transfer from oriT
D. The sex pilus prevents transfer of plasmid genes

B. The entire F factor usually is not completely transferred

224

Which outcome is most characteristic of HFr × F⁻ conjugation?

A. The recipient becomes F⁺ and receives no chromosomal genes
B. The donor becomes F⁻ after losing the entire chromosome
C. The recipient receives only an intact circular F plasmid
D. The recipient may integrate some donor chromosomal genes but usually remains F⁻

D. The recipient may integrate some donor chromosomal genes but usually remains F⁻

225

What occurs in generalized transduction?

incorporation of ____ sequences into phages are random due to a ____ error

DNA

packaging

226

What occurs in specialized transduction?

phages transfer _____ genes (not _____)

particular

random

227

Isolates of S. aureus acquired the _____ resistant gene during a mixed infection with _____ _____

vancomycin

Enterococcus faecalis

228

_____ _____ recognize a specific palindromic sequence and make a staggered cut that generates sticky ends

Restriction enzymes

229

A researcher adds a plasmid to competent bacteria so the bacteria will take up and replicate the DNA. Which bacterial genetics process is being used?

A. Transduction

B. Transformation

C. Conjugation

D. Translation

B. Transformation — bacteria take up free/exogenous DNA from the environment.

230

A virus that infects bacteria is best described as which of the following?

A. Plasmid

B. Transposon

C. Operon

D. Bacteriophage

D. Bacteriophage — also called a phage.

231

A bacteriophage accidentally carries bacterial DNA from one bacterium to another. What is this process called?

A. Transduction

B. Transformation

C. Conjugation

D. Replication

A. Transduction — DNA transfer between bacteria via a phage.

232

A newborn’s gut microbiome is shaped by complex carbohydrates in breast milk. Which bacterium is selected for?

A. Staphylococcus aureus

B. Escherichia coli

C. Enterococcus faecalis

D. Bifidobacterium infantis

D. Bifidobacterium infantis — it is selected by breast milk carbohydrates.

233

Skin bacteria catabolize keratin, oils, and dead cells in which outer skin layer?

A. Stratum corneum

B. Stratum basale

C. Dermis

D. Hypodermis

A. Stratum corneum — the outer layer containing dead keratinized cells.

234

Which molecules help maintain the structure of the bacterial chromosome?

A. Peptidoglycans

B. Sterols

C. Polyamines

D. Porins

C. Polyamines — examples include spermine and spermidine.

235

Prokaryotes can couple transcription and translation because they lack which structure?

A. Cell wall

B. Nuclear membrane

C. Ribosome

D. Plasma membrane

B. Nuclear membrane — mRNA can be translated while still being transcribed.

236

Bacterial chromosomal replication begins at which specific sequence?

oriC — the origin of chromosomal replication.

237

A bacterium exposed to UV light develops covalent links between adjacent pyrimidines. What caused this mutation?

A. Pyrimidine dimer formation

B. Base deamination

C. Transposon insertion

D. Plasmid loss

A. Pyrimidine dimer formation — UV exposure causes thymine/pyrimidine dimers.

238

A patient with xeroderma pigmentosum has impaired repair of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers. Which repair pathway is defective?

A. Mismatch repair

B. Homologous recombination

C. Nucleotide excision repair

D. Base insertion repair

C. Nucleotide excision repair — it removes damaged DNA and replaces it.

239

Which group of bacteria is naturally capable of taking up exogenous DNA?

A. E coli, Salmonella, Shigella

B. S pneumoniae, H influenzae type B, Neisseria

C. Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Rickettsia

B. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and Neisseria — these are naturally competent.

240

The bacterial sex pilus is a specialized form of which secretion system?

A. Type I

B. Type II

C. Type III

D. Type IV

D. Type IV — the sex pilus functions as a type IV secretion device.

241

Bacteria break down carbohydrates into sugars and short-chain fatty acids. What is this process called?

A. Fermentation

B. Transduction

C. Conjugation

D. Recombination

A. Fermentation — bacteria metabolize carbohydrates into smaller products such as SCFAs.

242

What is the universal intermediate of cell metabolism?

A. Lactate

B. Acetyl-CoA

C. Pyruvic acid

D. Citrate

C. Pyruvic acid — many metabolic pathways converge on pyruvate.

243

Fermentation occurs under which condition?

A. Only with oxygen

B. Only in eukaryotes

C. Only during replication

D. Only without oxygen

D. Only without oxygen

244

Which statement best describes bacterial genetics?

A. Bacteria are haploid and often organize related genes into operons

B. Bacteria are diploid and often organize related genes into operons

C. Bacteria are haploid and lack gene regulation

D. Bacteria are diploid and use introns

A. Bacteria are haploid and often organize related genes into operons.

245

What is transcription?

A. mRNA to protein

B. Protein to DNA

C. DNA to mRNA

D. DNA to protein

C. DNA to mRNA — RNA polymerase makes an mRNA copy from DNA.

246

What is translation?

A. DNA to mRNA

B. mRNA to protein

C. Protein to DNA

D. RNA to DNA

B. mRNA to protein — ribosomes synthesize proteins from mRNA.

247

Promoters and operators are usually located where relative to the gene/operon they regulate?

Beginning

248

In negative control, genes are expressed unless turned off by what?

A. Repressor protein

B. Ribosome

C. Helicase

D. Primase

A. Repressor protein — negative control blocks transcription unless repression is removed.

249

Which enzyme unwinds bacterial DNA at the origin during replication?

Helicase

250

Which enzyme synthesizes primers to start bacterial DNA replication?

Primase

251

What does semiconservative DNA replication mean?

A. Each daughter DNA has one parental strand and one new strand

B. Both daughter DNAs are completely new

C. One daughter DNA is old and one is new

D. DNA is copied without using a template

A. Each daughter DNA has one parental strand and one new strand.

252

Bacterial DNA synthesis occurs at growing replication forks and proceeds in which pattern?

A. Unidirectionally from plasmids

B. Only after cell division

C. Bidirectionally from the origin

D. Randomly across the chromosome

C. Bidirectionally from the origin — two forks move away from oriC.

253

During bacterial growth, chromosome replication is initiated near which bacterial structure?

A. Capsule

B. Membrane

C. Flagellum

D. Ribosome

B. Membrane — membrane growth helps pull daughter chromosomes apart.

254

Which sequence correctly lists the phases of bacterial growth?

A. Death, lag, stationary, exponential

B. Stationary, death, lag, exponential

C. Exponential, lag, death, stationary

D. Lag, exponential, stationary, death

D. Lag → exponential/log → stationary → death.

255

A repair system removes a damaged section of DNA and inserts a new DNA strand. Which repair type is this?

A. Direct repair

B. Fermentation

C. Excision repair

D. Conjugation

C. Excision repair — damaged DNA is cut out and replaced.

256

What does plasmid copy number measure?

A. Ratio of ribosomes to plasmids

B. Ratio of plasmid copies to chromosome copies

C. Ratio of phages to bacteria

D. Ratio of operons to genes

B. Ratio of plasmid copies to chromosome copies.

257

A mobile genetic element moves DNA from one location to another. What is it called?

A. Bacteriophage

B. Promoter

C. Operator

D. Transposon

D. Transposon — transposons are mobile DNA elements.

258

Which are the 3 main mechanisms of bacterial horizontal gene transfer?

A. Transformation, conjugation, transduction

B. Transcription, translation, replication

C. Lytic, lysogenic, exponential

D. Fermentation, respiration, oxidation

A. Transformation, conjugation, and transduction.

259

A donor bacterium transfers DNA directly to a recipient through a sex pilus. Which process is this?

_____

Conjugation

260

During transduction, two genes are more likely to be cotransduced when they are located how?

A. On different chromosomes

B. Closer together

C. On separate plasmids

D. Farther apart

B. Closer together — nearby genes fit into the same transferred DNA fragment more easily.

261

Scientists use a DNA carrier to deliver a gene into receptive bacteria. What is this carrier called?

A. Repressor

B. Operator

C. Cloning vector

D. Pyrimidine dimer

C. Cloning vector — it delivers DNA into bacteria for replication or expression.

262

A patient with gram-negative sepsis has fever, hypotension, and inflammatory cytokine release due to a bacterial membrane component. Which toxin is responsible?

______. ______ is part of the gram-negative bacterial ______ membrane.

Endotoxinendotoxin is part of the gram-negative bacterial outer membrane.

263

A secreted bacterial toxin is found to be a protein produced by either gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria. What type of toxin is this?

______

A. Exotoxin — exotoxins are secreted proteins made by gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria.

264

A researcher isolates a lipopolysaccharide complex from a gram-negative bacterium. Which toxin type is this?

Endotoxin — endotoxin is composed of LPS.

265

Which part of LPS is mainly responsible for endotoxin toxicity?

____ ____

Lipid A — Lipid A is the toxic portion of LPS.

266

The terminal portion of LPS varies among bacterial strains and helps distinguish strains. What is this portion called?

____ ____

O antigen — the O antigen is the variable terminal end of LPS.

267

A toxin has an A component that causes toxicity and a B component that binds the host cell. What type of toxin is this?

_____

Exotoxin — many exotoxins are A-B toxins.

268

In an A-B exotoxin, which component binds to the host cell surface?

A. A component

B. B component

B. B component — “B” stands for binding.

269

In an A-B exotoxin, which component performs the toxic activity inside the host cell?

A. A component

B. B component

D. A component — “A” stands for active.

270

Endotoxin binds CD14 on macrophages. Which mediators are released?

IL-____, IL-____, ____-____, ____ ____

IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and NO — these drive inflammation and shock.

271

A gram-negative infection activates complement through LPS. Which complement fragments are released as anaphylatoxins?

____ and ____

C3a and C5a — these promote inflammation and neutrophil chemotaxis.

272

Why is endotoxin generally a poor target for toxoid-style vaccination?

A. It is only made by viruses

B. It has no toxic activity

C. It generates a weak antibody response

D. It is rapidly secreted from gram-positive cells

C. It generates a weak antibody response — endotoxin does not make a strong protective antibody response.

273

A bacterial toxin gene is found on a plasmid or bacteriophage rather than the chromosome. What type of toxin is most likely encoded?

_____

Exotoxin — exotoxin genes are often carried on plasmids or bacteriophages.

274

Which mobile genetic elements commonly encode exotoxin genes?

A. Ribosomes and operons

B. Capsules and fimbriae

C. Endospores and porins

D. Plasmids and bacteriophages

D. Plasmids and bacteriophages — exotoxin genes are often horizontally transferred.

275

A toxin activates many T cells at once by linking MHC II on an APC to the T-cell receptor. What is this toxin called?

______

Superantigen

276

Superantigens differ from normal peptide antigens because they are not processed normally and instead bind _____ _____ and _____ directly

Not processed normally and instead bind MHC II and TCR directly

277

A patient develops shock after massive cytokine release from T-cell activation. Which toxin mechanism is most likely?

A. Botulinum toxin blocking ACh

B. Cytolysin destroying membranes

C. Superantigen causing massive T-cell activation

D. O antigen activating B cells

C. Superantigen causing massive T-cell activation — cytokine release causes vasodilation, hypotension, and shock.

278

Which two organisms produce superantigens that can cause shock?

______ ______ and ______ ______

Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes

279

Most exotoxins are heat labile. What does this mean?

A. They are rapidly destroyed by heat

B. They become stronger after heating

C. They are made only during fever

D. They are identical to LPS

A. They are rapidly destroyed by heat — many exotoxins are inactivated around 60°C.

280

Which exotoxins are classic exceptions to the “heat-labile exotoxin” rule?

______ ______ and ______ ______ heat-stable toxin

Staphylococcal enterotoxin and E coli heat-stable toxin — these are heat-stable exceptions.

281

A patient has flaccid paralysis after ingestion of a toxin that prevents acetylcholine release from vesicles. Which toxin is responsible?

A. Endotoxin

B. Superantigen

C. Botulinum toxin

D. Cytolysin

C. Botulinum toxin — it blocks ACh release from presynaptic vesicles.

282

A burn patient develops a wound infection with a blue-green pigment and fruity odor. Which opportunistic pathogen is classically associated with burns?

_____ _____

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

283

Patients with cystic fibrosis are especially prone to chronic lung colonization by which organisms?

_____ _____ and _____ _____

Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa — impaired mucociliary clearance promotes colonization.

284

Why do bacteria not express virulence factors all the time?

A. Virulence genes cannot be regulated

B. They only express them under specific conditions

C. All virulence factors are toxic to bacteria

D. Virulence factors are only found in viruses

B. They only express them under specific conditions — expression is often triggered by the environment.

285

Large genetic regions on a chromosome or plasmid that contain multiple virulence genes are called:

A. Operons

B. Ribosomes

C. Pathogenicity islands

D. Porins

C. Pathogenicity islands — they encode coordinated sets of virulence factors.

286

A Salmonella virulence island is activated by acidic pH inside a macrophage phagocytic vesicle. Which pathogenicity island is this?

A. SPI-2

B. O antigen island

C. MSCRAMM island

D. Lipid A island

A. SPI-2 — Salmonella SPI-2 is activated in the acidic phagocytic vesicle.

287

SPI-2 helps Salmonella survive intracellularly by promoting assembly of which device?

A. Type I secretion pump

B. Type II pili

C. Type IV conjugation pilus

D. Type III secretion device

D. Type III secretion device — it injects bacterial proteins into host cells.

288

A bacterium injects a pore-forming molecule into a host cell, then injects proteins through that pore. Which structure is being used?

A. Flagellum

B. Type III secretion device

C. Capsule

D. Ribosome

B. Type III secretion device — this syringe-like apparatus delivers bacterial proteins into host cells.

289

Many proteins injected by a type III secretion system help bacteria enter host cells by promoting what process?

A. Actin polymerization

B. Antibody secretion

C. Complement inhibition

D. Nuclear division

A. Actin polymerization — rearranging actin helps host cells engulf bacteria.

290

An organism causes disease mainly when host defenses are weakened or tissue barriers are damaged. What is this organism called?

A. Superantigen

B. Endotoxin

C. Opportunistic bacterium

D. Anaphylatoxin

C. Opportunistic bacterium — it takes advantage of preexisting weakness or damage.

291

Patients with AIDS are especially susceptible to intracellular bacteria such as which group?

_______

Mycobacteria — impaired cell-mediated immunity increases risk.

292

Systemic symptoms during bacterial infection are often caused by bacterial toxins and which host response?

A. Keratin production

B. Cytokine production

C. Lactose fermentation

D. Flagellar rotation

B. Cytokine production — toxins and host cytokines produce systemic responses.

293

S aureus and S epidermidis are normal flora of which site and can cause infection after breaks in the barrier?

Skin — they can enter through skin breaks.

294

Indwelling catheters and IV lines increase risk of infection by skin flora mainly because they:

A. block antibody production

B. damage the spleen

C. reduce stomach acid

D. bypass the skin barrier

D. Bypass the skin barrier — skin flora can enter deeper tissues or blood.

295

Natural openings such as the mouth, nose, anus, and respiratory/GI/GU tracts are protected by which defenses?

A. Mucus, cilia, lysozyme, and IgA

B. Lipid A, O antigen, and TNF

C. Plasmids, phages, and transposons

D. ATP, NADH, and FADH2

A. Mucus, cilia, lysozyme, and IgA — these protect exposed mucosal surfaces.

296

E coli remains attached to the urinary or intestinal epithelium instead of being washed away. Which bacterial factor explains this?

A. Endotoxin

B. Capsule

C. Adhesins

D. Botulinum toxin

C. Adhesins — they bind specific receptors on tissue surfaces.

297

Many bacterial adhesins are located on which surface structures?

A. Fimbriae

B. Ribosomes

C. Nucleoids

D. Inclusion bodies

A. Fimbriae — fimbrial adhesins help bacteria bind host tissues.

298

Fimbrial adhesins commonly bind tightly to which host molecules?

A. Cytokines

B. Lectins

C. Antibodies

D. Complement proteins

B. Lectins — fimbriae often mediate lectin-like binding to host surfaces.

299

Which organisms express adhesin proteins that are not located on fimbriae?

_____

_____ _____

_____ _____

Yersinia, Bordetella pertussis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae — their adhesins are nonfimbrial.

300

A bacterium moves through the mucous layer toward epithelium. Which structure helps it swim?

_____

Flagella — flagella provide motility through mucus.

301

Which bacterial enzymes help digest the mucous layer so bacteria can approach epithelial cells?

______

Proteases — they break down mucus proteins.

302

C perfringens is normal microbiota but can cause gas gangrene under which condition?

____ oxygen

Low oxygen — anaerobic conditions favor C perfringens gas gangrene.

303

A patient develops rapid vomiting after eating food containing toxin already produced by bacteria. What type of toxin exposure is this?

A. Preformed toxin

B. Endotoxin only

C. Type III secretion

D. Pathogenicity island

A. Preformed toxin — symptoms occur quickly without needing bacterial growth in the host.

304

Why do preformed toxins cause symptoms quickly?

A. They require bacterial replication first

B. They are already present before ingestion or exposure

C. They only activate complement slowly

D. They must integrate into host DNA

B. They are already present — no time is needed for bacterial growth and toxin production.

305

Exotoxins can include cytolytic enzymes and receptor-binding proteins. What do these toxins do?

A. Only form bacterial chromosomes

B. Alter cell function or kill cells

C. Become part of gram-negative membranes

D. Prevent all cytokine release

B. Alter cell function or kill cells — exotoxins can disrupt host cell activity or viability.

306

A toxin directly breaks down host cell membranes. What type of toxin is this?

______ toxin

Cytolytic toxin — cytolytic toxins damage membranes.

307

A gram-negative bacterium releases LPS during infection, leading to macrophage activation. Which receptor complex is classically involved in recognizing LPS on macrophages?

A. CD14/TLR4

B. CD4/MHC II

C. CD8/MHC I

D. BCR/IgA

A. CD14/TLR4 — LPS binding activates macrophages and cytokine release.

308

Nitric oxide released after endotoxin stimulation contributes most directly to which shock finding?

A. Bradycardia only

B. Vasodilation and hypotension

C. Increased platelet production

D. Increased gastric acid secretion

B. Vasodilation and hypotension — NO relaxes vascular smooth muscle.

309

Which toxin type is most likely to be converted into a toxoid vaccine because it is a protein with strong immunogenicity?

Endotoxin or Exotoxin?

Exotoxin

310

Which factor best explains why Pseudomonas can colonize cystic fibrosis lungs?

Impaired _____ _____ clearance

Impaired ciliary mucous clearance — thick mucus and poor clearance allow colonization.

311

A device-associated S epidermidis infection persists despite antibiotics. Which bacterial structure most likely contributes?

_____

Biofilm — biofilms protect bacteria on catheters and implanted devices.

312

High concentrations of endotoxin can activate which complement pathway?

A. Classical pathway

B. Lectin pathway

C. Alternative pathway

D. Terminal-only pathway

C. Alternative pathway — endotoxin can activate alternative complement.

313

What is a typical bacterial capsule made of?

_____

Polysaccharide — most bacterial capsules are polysaccharide-based.

314

A heavily encapsulated bacterium survives despite neutrophil exposure. What is the capsule mainly preventing?

A. Bacterial replication

B. Translation

C. Phagocytosis

D. Fermentation

C. Phagocytosis — capsules help bacteria avoid engulfment.

315

Which set lists three ways bacteria evade antibody responses?

A. Antigenic variation, antibody inactivation, intracellular growth

B. ATP production, fermentation, replication

C. Capsule loss, ribosome loss, DNA loss

D. Complement fixation, opsonization, phagolysosome fusion

A. Antigenic variation, antibody inactivation, intracellular growth.

316

Why does intracellular bacterial growth help evade antibodies?

Antibodies work best _____— intracellular bacteria are _____ from circulating antibodies.

extracellularly

hidden

317

Which bacterial structure limits complement access in gram-positive bacteria?

A. Thin LPS layer

B. Thick peptidoglycan

C. Long O antigen

D. Outer membrane porins

B. Thick peptidoglycan — it can physically limit complement-mediated killing.

318

Which gram-negative structure can limit complement access in most gram-negative bacteria?

A. Long O antigen of LPS

B. Teichoic acid

C. Thick peptidoglycan

D. Spore coat

A. Long O antigen of LPS — it can block complement from reaching the membrane.

319

Why are Neisseria species an important exception when discussing long O antigen protection?

A. They lack peptidoglycan

B. They have LOS rather than full LPS with long O antigen

C. They are gram-positive

D. They cannot activate complement

B. They have LOS rather than full LPS with long O antigen — this gives less protection from complement.

320

Which strategy helps bacteria evade phagocytic cells by directly damaging those cells?

A. Producing enzymes that lyse phagocytes

B. Activating C3b opsonization

C. Increasing IgA binding

D. Promoting phagolysosome fusion

A. Producing enzymes that lyse phagocytes.

321

A bacterium avoids being engulfed by macrophages and neutrophils. Which evasion mechanism is this?

A. Inhibition of phagocytic uptake

B. Increased antigen presentation

C. Complement fixation

D. Cytokine neutralization

A. Inhibition of phagocytic uptake — antiphagocytic factors such as capsules can prevent engulfment.

322

A bacterium is engulfed by a macrophage but survives by preventing phagosome-lysosome fusion. Which evasion strategy is this?

A. Blocking intracellular killing

B. Antibody class switching

C. Alternative complement activation

D. Anaphylatoxin release

A. Blocking intracellular killing — preventing fusion allows survival inside phagocytes.

323

A gram-negative bacterium releases endotoxin, activates macrophages, and triggers complement. Which final clinical outcome is most concerning at high endotoxin levels?

A. Hypotension and shock

B. Pure flaccid paralysis

C. No inflammatory response

D. Isolated antibody deficiency

A. Hypotension and shock — cytokines, NO, and anaphylatoxins can cause severe vasodilation.

324

E coli O157:H7 infection is classically associated with which serious complication?

A. Toxic shock syndrome

B. Pseudomembranous colitis

C. Hemolytic uremic syndrome

D. Gas gangrene

C. Hemolytic uremic syndrome — E coli O157:H7 can cause HUS.

325

The production of type III secretion devices by Shigella flexneri is triggered by which environmental signal?

A. Oxygen tension

B. Acidic pH

C. High temperature

D. Bile salts

A. Oxygen tension — Shigella flexneri type III secretion expression is triggered by oxygen tension.

326

The production of type III secretion devices by Salmonella typhimurium is triggered mainly by which signal?

A. IgA binding

B. D-mannose binding

C. Fibronectin binding

D. pH

D. pH — Salmonella typhimurium type III secretion expression is triggered by pH.

327

The SPI-2 pathogenicity island of Salmonella is activated in which location?

Acidic phagocytic vesicle inside a ______

Acidic phagocytic vesicle inside a macrophage — SPI-2 promotes intracellular survival.

328

A patient develops pseudomembranous colitis after antibiotic use. Which organism is most likely responsible?

____ ____

Clostridium difficile — C difficile causes pseudomembranous colitis.

329

Which organism is inhaled, grows in the lungs, and is not typically spread person-to-person?

_____

Legionella — it is acquired by inhalation from environmental water sources and does not readily spread between people.

330

In E coli, type 1 fimbriae bind which receptor molecule?

A. GM1 ganglioside

B. P blood group glycolipid

C. D-mannose

D. Fibronectin

C. D-mannose — E coli type 1 fimbriae bind mannose-containing receptors.

331

E coli colonization factor antigen fimbriae bind which host receptor?

A. Collagen

B. Laminin

C. D-mannose

D. GM1 ganglioside

D. GM1 ganglioside — colonization factor antigen fimbriae bind GM1.

332

E coli strains that cause acute pyelonephritis use which adhesin and receptor pair?

A. Type 1 fimbriae; D-mannose

B. P fimbriae; P blood group glycolipid

C. MSCRAMMs; fibronectin

D. Colonization factor antigen; GM1 ganglioside

B. P fimbriae; P blood group glycolipid — P fimbriae help E coli attach to uroepithelial cells.

333

Streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus bind fibronectin, collagen, or laminin using which adhesin molecules?

A. MSCRAMMs

B. P fimbriae

C. Type 1 fimbriae

D. Colonization factor antigen

A. MSCRAMMs — microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules bind extracellular matrix proteins.

334

_____ and _____ use fimbriae to bind _____ cells before injecting pathogenic proteins.

Salmonella

Yersinia

M cells

335

Many proteins injected by a type III secretion device promote which host-cell process?

A. Antibody class switching

B. Complement activation

C. Sphingomyelin breakdown

D. Actin polymerization

D. Actin polymerization — this helps invasion or movement within and between cells.

336

How does Salmonella promote invasion through the GI tract?

_____ tight junctions of _____ cells

Weakens tight junctions of mucoepithelial cells — this helps Salmonella invade across the intestinal barrier.

337

Rapid food poisoning from a preformed toxin is classically caused by which organisms?

____ ____

____ ____

Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus — symptoms occur quickly because the toxin is already in the food.

338

Clostridium perfringens produces alpha-toxin. What is alpha-toxin?

A. IgA protease

B. Superantigen

C. Adenylate cyclase activator

D. Phospholipase C

D. Phospholipase C — C perfringens alpha-toxin damages membranes.

339

Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin breaks down which membrane component?

A. Peptidoglycan

B. Hyaluronic acid

C. Sphingomyelin

D. D-mannose

C. Sphingomyelin — alpha-toxin damages cell membranes by cleaving phospholipids such as sphingomyelin.

340

Cholera toxin increases cAMP by doing which of the following?

Permanently activating _____

Permanently activating Gs

341

Pertussis toxin increases cAMP by doing which of the following?

inactivating _____

Inactivating Gi — loss of Gi inhibition increases adenylate cyclase activity.

342

Toxic shock syndrome causes shock mainly through overwhelming release of which cytokines?

A. IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE

B. IL-10, TGF-beta, IL-35, IgA

C. C3a, C3b, C5b, C9

D. IL-1, IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha

D. IL-1, IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha — massive cytokine release causes shock.

343

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes disease by inactivating which target?

____ ____ ____

Elongation factor 2

344

Tetanospasmin from Clostridium tetani causes disease by which mechanism?

Cleaving _____ proteins to block _____ neurotransmitter release

Cleaving SNARE proteins to block inhibitory neurotransmitter release

345

Which triad best describes the major clinical effects of endotoxin?

A. Flaccid paralysis, diplopia, dry mouth

B. Fever, shock, DIC

C. Pseudomembranes, watery diarrhea, ileus

D. Spastic paralysis, lockjaw, opisthotonos

B. Fever, shock, DIC — endotoxin can trigger systemic inflammation and coagulation.

346

The Streptococcus pyogenes capsule is made of which substance?

A. Hyaluronic acid

B. Polyribosylribitol phosphate

C. Lipid A

D. Sphingomyelin

A. Hyaluronic acid — it mimics human connective tissue.

347

Why is the hyaluronic acid capsule of Streptococcus pyogenes useful for immune evasion?

It mimics human _______ tissue — this helps the bacterium _______ from immune recognition.

It mimics human connective tissue — this helps the bacterium hide from immune recognition.

348

Which organism evades antibodies by antigenic variation and produces an IgA protease?

_____ _____

Neisseria gonorrhoeae — it changes surface antigens and degrades IgA.

349

Protein A prevents opsonization and phagocytosis by binding which part of IgG?

_____ region

Fc region — Protein A binds Fc so phagocytes cannot recognize IgG normally.

350

Which organism expresses Protein A?

_____ _____

Staphylococcus aureus

351

Which Streptococcus pyogenes toxin causes cell membrane lysis?

A. Tetanospasmin

B. Diphtheria toxin

C. Streptolysin O

D. Cholera toxin

C. Streptolysin O — it lyses host cell membranes.

352

What is the main role of M protein in Streptococcus pyogenes virulence?

A. Prevents phagocytosis

B. Blocks acetylcholine release

C. Activates adenylate cyclase

D. Breaks down sphingomyelin

A. Prevents phagocytosis — M protein is antiphagocytic.

353

Mycobacterium species survive inside macrophages by blocking which process?

A. IgA secretion

B. Actin polymerization

C. D-mannose binding

D. Phagosome-lysosome fusion

D. Phagosome-lysosome fusion — this prevents exposure to lysosomal killing contents.

354

Listeria monocytogenes escapes macrophage killing by doing which of the following?

A. Binding Fc region of IgG

B. Lysing the phagosome and escaping into the cytoplasm

C. Producing hyaluronic acid capsule

D. Activating the alternative complement pathway

B. Lysing the phagosome and escaping into the cytoplasm — Listeria avoids phagolysosomal killing.

355

Which test result best distinguishes Staphylococcus aureus from Staphylococcus epidermidis?

S aureus is _____ _____

S aureus is coagulase positive — S epidermidis is coagulase negative.

356

What does coagulase do?

Converts _____ into fibrin to form a _____ barrier

Converts fibrinogen into fibrin to form a clotlike barrier — this helps S aureus wall itself off.

357

Both cholera toxin and pertussis toxin increase cAMP. Which comparison is correct?

A. Cholera inactivates Gi; pertussis activates Gs

B. Cholera blocks adenylate cyclase; pertussis activates EF-2

C. Cholera cleaves SNARE; pertussis lyses membranes

D. Cholera activates Gs; pertussis inactivates Gi

D. Cholera activates Gs; pertussis inactivates Gi — both increase adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP.

358

A patient has rapid-onset vomiting after eating food left at room temperature. Why do symptoms appear so quickly with S aureus food poisoning?

A. The toxin is preformed in the food

B. The bacteria must invade macrophages first

C. The bacteria must form M protein first

D. The toxin requires phagosome-lysosome fusion

A. The toxin is preformed in the food — bacterial growth inside the host is not required first.

359

Salmonella and Yersinia bind M cells, inject proteins, and stimulate uptake into the host cell. Which bacterial tool makes this injection possible?

A. Coagulase

B. Type III secretion device

C. Protein A

D. IgA protease

B. Type III secretion device — it injects virulence proteins into host cells.

360

Listeria and Shigella use actin polymerization mainly for which purpose?

______ within cells and spread to neighboring cells

movement

361

A clinician is trying to maximize the yield of a blood culture in a patient with suspected bacteremia. What is the most important factor for success?

_____ of blood processed

Volume of blood processed — larger appropriate blood volume improves blood culture yield.

362

Approximately how much blood should be collected from an adult for each blood culture?

A. 1 mL

B. 5 mL

C. 10 mL

D. 20 mL

D. 20 mL — adult blood cultures require about 20 mL per culture.

363

How much blood should generally be collected per blood culture in children?

A. 1-5 mL

B. 5-10 mL

C. 20-25 mL

D. 30-35 mL

B. 5-10 mL — children require less blood than adults.

364

How much blood should generally be collected per blood culture in neonates?

A. 1 mL

B. 5 mL

C. 10 mL

D. 20 mL

A. 1 mL — neonates require only about 1 mL per culture.

365

A patient with pneumonia has bacteremia that appears only at certain times rather than constantly. What type of septicemia is this?

A. Continuous septicemia

B. Intermittent septicemia

C. Latent septicemia

D. Commensal septicemia

B. Intermittent septicemia — localized infections such as lung, urinary tract, or soft tissue infections can seed blood intermittently.

366

A patient with infective endocarditis or septic thrombophlebitis has persistent bacteria in the blood. What type of septicemia is most likely?

A. Intermittent septicemia

B. Transient septicemia

C. Continuous septicemia

D. Localized septicemia

C. Continuous septicemia — intravascular infections such as endocarditis or septic thrombophlebitis cause continuous bloodstream infection.

367

Most clinically significant blood culture isolates are detected within what time frame?

A. 1-2 hours

B. 1-2 days

C. 5-7 days

D. 2-3 weeks

B. 1-2 days

368

Even though most significant isolates appear early, blood cultures should be incubated for at least how long?

A. 12 hours

B. 24 hours

C. 5-7 days

D. 30 days

C. 5-7 days

369

When CSF is collected from a suspected patient with ______, the specimen is concentrated by ______ and the sediment is used to inoculate bacteriologic media and prepare a ______ stain

meningitis

centrifugation

Gram

370

After CSF is centrifuged in suspected meningitis, which part is used to inoculate bacteriologic media and prepare a Gram stain?

A. Supernatant

B. Sediment

C. Serum layer

D. Clot

B. Sediment

371

For routine bacterial culture of CSF, what specimen volume is usually collected?

A. 0.1 mL

B. 1-5 mL

C. 20 mL

D. 50 mL

B. 1-5 mL

372

If mycobacterial meningitis is suspected, how much CSF should be collected?

As large a sample as possible — mycobacteria may be _____, so larger volume improves _____.

sparse

detection

373

Most bacterial infections of the pharynx are caused by which organism?

_____ _____ _____

Group A Streptococcus

374

Which swab types are appropriate for collecting pharyngeal specimens?

A. Cotton or dacron

B. Wood or dacron

C. Dacron or calcium alginate

D. Metal or calcium alginate

C. Dacron or calcium alginate — these are used for throat specimens.

375

Why should saliva contamination be avoided when collecting a throat swab for suspected group A strep?

____ bacteria can ____ growth of group A streptococci

Saliva

inhibit

376

Which specimens should be inoculated onto culture media immediately after collection before transport to the lab?

_____ _____ and _____ _____ — these organisms are fragile and require immediate inoculation.

Bordetella pertussis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae — these organisms are fragile and require immediate inoculation.

377

Group A streptococci can be detected directly from a clinical specimen using which method?

_____ for _____ -specific antigen

Immunoassay for group-specific antigen

378

Which set contains the most common bacterial causes of sinusitis?

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

Haemophilus influenzae

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Moraxella catarrhalis

Staphylococcus aureus

379

A respiratory specimen has many squamous epithelial cells on microscopy. What does this suggest?

A. Excellent lower respiratory specimen

B. Saliva contamination

C. Mycobacterial infection

D. Bloodstream contamination

B. Saliva contamination — squamous epithelial cells indicate oral contamination.

380

What procedure is required to make a specific microbiologic diagnosis of a middle ear infection?

A. Nasopharyngeal swab

B. Tympanocentesis

C. Throat culture

D. Blood culture

B. Tympanocentesis — sampling middle ear fluid is needed for a specific diagnosis.

381

An abscess is drained and cultured. Where within the abscess are organisms most commonly replicating?

A. Surface crust

B. Base of the abscess

C. Surrounding normal skin

D. Necrotic center only

B. Base of the abscess — organisms most actively replicate at the base.

382

Clostridium difficile — it is a major cause of antibiotic-associated _____ and _____

diarrhea

colitis.

383

What is the most sensitive and specific test for diagnosing Clostridium difficile infection?

____ ____ ____ ____ (____) detects C difficile toxin genes.

nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) detects C difficile toxin genes.

384

How long does it usually take to isolate and identify enteric pathogens by traditional methods?

A. 1-3 hours

B. 12 hours

C. 3 days

D. 2 weeks

C. 3 days — enteric pathogen isolation and identification usually takes about 3 days.

385

A lab wants rapid detection of common bacterial, viral, and parasitic enteric pathogens directly from fecal swabs. Which method can detect them in 1-3 hours?

A. High-multiplex NAAT

B. Broth dilution

C. Blood agar hemolysis

D. Acid-fast stain

A. High-multiplex NAAT — it can rapidly detect multiple enteric pathogens directly from fecal swabs.

386

Which factor is required for aminoglycosides to enter bacterial cells?

A. Carbon dioxide

B. Oxygen

C. Capsule

D. IgA

B. Oxygen — aminoglycoside uptake is oxygen-dependent.

387

Why are aminoglycosides generally ineffective against anaerobes?

A. Anaerobes destroy all ribosomes

B. Anaerobes lack oxygen-dependent drug uptake

C. Anaerobes always produce beta-lactamase

D. Anaerobes have no cell membrane

B. Anaerobes lack oxygen-dependent drug uptake

388

What is one advantage of broth dilution antibiotic susceptibility testing?

A. It requires no bacteria

B. Any antibiotic can be tested

C. It only detects viruses

D. It gives results without incubation

B. Any antibiotic can be tested — broth dilution is flexible for different antibiotics.

389

What is one limitation of broth dilution tests?

The manufacturer determines the _______ range and limited dilutions are _______.

The manufacturer determines the antibiotic range and limited dilutions are available.

390

Which organisms are alpha-hemolytic?

_____ _____

_____ _____

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Viridans streptococci

391

Which set contains beta-hemolytic organisms?

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus agalactiae

Staphylococcus aureus

Listeria monocytogenes

392

A stool specimen shows gram-negative bacteria arranged in S-shaped pairs. Which organism is most likely?

______

Campylobacter

393

A blood agar plate shows a large outer zone of alpha-hemolysis with an inner zone of beta-hemolysis. Which organism classically produces this double zone?

_____ _____

Clostridium perfringens

394

Which specimen should be sampled from an abscess to maximize recovery of actively growing organisms?

_____ base because organisms most commonly _____ there.

Abscess base — organisms most commonly replicate there.

395

A lab reports the MIC of an antibiotic for a bacterial isolate. What does this value tell the clinician?

The ____ drug concentration that stops ____ growth

The lowest drug concentration that stops visible growth

396

What is the most common pathogen that causes swimmer's ear?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

397

What organism is a gram-negative rod that has bipolar staining?

_____

Enterobacteriaceae

398

What two classes of organisms are best detected using microscopy?

1. ____-____ rods

2. ____-____ cocci

1. Acid-fast rods

2. Gram-negative cocci

399

A patient with infective endocarditis has persistently positive blood cultures throughout the day. What septicemia pattern is most likely?

A. Transient septicemia B. Intermittent septicemia C. Continuous septicemia D. Localized septicemia

C. Continuous septicemia — intravascular infections cause continuous bacteremia.

400

Intermittent septicemia occurs in patients with _____ infections

Continuous septicemia occurs primarily in patients with _____ infections

localized

intravascular

401

To maximize recovery from an adult blood culture, how should the media bottles be inoculated?

A. One bottle, 20 mL

B. Two bottles, 5 mL each

C. Four bottles, 2 mL each

D. Two bottles, 10 mL each

D. Two bottles, 10 mL each — each culture uses two bottles with 10 mL per bottle.

402

After blood culture bottles arrive in the laboratory, at what temperature should they be incubated?

A. 25°C

B. 37°C

C. 4°C

D. 60°C

B. 37°C — blood cultures are incubated at body temperature.

403

A CSF specimen is collected for suspected meningitis. Which handling instruction is most appropriate?

A. Freeze before transport

B. Refrigerate immediately

C. Avoid heat and refrigeration

D. Heat before plating

C. Avoid heat and refrigeration — CSF should not be heated or refrigerated.

404

Which direct test can detect group A strep?

A. Immunoassay

B. Coagulase test

C. Oxidase test

D. Acid-fast stain

A. Immunoassay — group A strep antigen can be detected directly.

405

A clinician sends an oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal culture to diagnose a lower respiratory infection. Why is this specimen inappropriate?

A. It is normally sterile

B. It misses oral flora

C. It is not useful

D. It requires refrigeration

C. It is not useful — nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal culture should not be used.

406

A lower respiratory specimen has many squamous epithelial cells on microscopy. What does this indicate?

_____ contamination

Saliva contamination

407

A wound culture is needed, but the surface is covered with colonizing flora. What is the best collection method?

A. Surface swab only

B. Dried drainage sample

C. Deep aspiration

D. Surrounding skin swab

C. Deep aspiration — collect deep in the wound, preferably by aspiration.

408

2 most common genital specimens?

_____ _____

_____ _____

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Chlamydia trachomatis

409

How should you collect a feces sample?

____ pan not a swab

Clean

410

Two general forms of antimicrobial susceptibility tests are performed in the clinical laboratory:

_____ _____ tests and _____ _____ tests

broth dilution tests and agar diffusion tests

411

A broth dilution test is one in which an antibiotic is prepared in a _____ medium and then then _____ with a standardized concentration of bacteria.

nutrient

innoculated

412

An agar diffusion test has bacteria spread over a surface, then a _____ with _____ is inserted into the surface.

If there is no _____ around the disk it is senstive to the _____ if there are bacteria it is resistant

disk

antibiotics

bacteria

antibiotic

413

A sputum smear is ordered because the clinician wants direct visualization of organisms often missed by routine Gram stain. Which class is microscopy especially useful for?

A. Anaerobic cocci

B. Viridans streptococci

C. Enteric bacilli

D. Acid-fast rods

D. Acid-fast rods — acid-fast organisms are best detected by microscopy.

414

A urethral discharge specimen is examined directly because the suspected organism is best detected microscopically. Which organism class fits this?

A. Gram-positive rods

B. Gram-negative cocci

C. Anaerobic bacilli

D. Spore-forming rods

B. Gram-negative cocci — microscopy is useful for gram-negative cocci.

415

To maximize recovery from an adult blood culture, how should the media bottles be inoculated?

A. One bottle, 20 mL

B. Two bottles, 5 mL each

C. Four bottles, 2 mL each

D. Two bottles, 10 mL each

D. Two bottles, 10 mL each — each culture uses two bottles with 10 mL per bottle.

416

A clinician wants blood cultures drawn exactly during a fever spike. Which statement is most accurate?

A. Timing is essential

B. Timing prevents contamination

C. Timing detects fungi only

D. Timing is less important

D. Timing is less important — collection timing itself is not very important.

417

A resident asks for a Gram stain directly on blood from a septic patient. Why is this low yield?

Too _____ organisms — _____ blood usually has very low organism burden.

Too few organisms — septic blood usually has very low organism burden.

418

A CSF specimen from suspected meningitis is sitting unprocessed. Why is immediate processing important?

A. Some pathogens are labile

B. CSF rapidly clots

C. NAAT requires freezing

D. Anaerobes overgrow quickly

A. Some pathogens are labile — N meningitidis and S pneumoniae are fragile.

419

Which meningitis pathogens are especially labile in CSF specimens?

A. E coli, B fragilis

B. S aureus, Listeria

C. C difficile, Shigella

D. N meningitidis, S pneumoniae

D. N meningitidis and S pneumoniae — both can degrade quickly.

420

A CSF specimen is sent to detect bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Which method is commonly used?

A. Coagulase test

B. NAAT

C. Oxidase test

D. Catalase test

B. NAAT — nucleic acid amplification tests detect multiple CSF pathogens.

421

A sterile abdominal fluid specimen may contain anaerobes. What handling error should be avoided?

A. Oxygen exposure

B. Prompt processing

C. Sterile collection

D. Anaerobic transport

A. Oxygen exposure — oxygen inhibits anaerobe recovery.

422

Anaerobic culture handling is especially important in which infections?

A. Skin and urinary

B. Bone and joint

C. Intra-abdominal and pulmonary

D. Pharyngeal and sinus

C. Intra-abdominal and pulmonary — these often involve anaerobes.

423

Most bacterial pharyngitis is caused by which organism?

____ ____ Streptococcus

Group A Streptococcus

424

A pharyngitis culture is ordered for Bordetella pertussis. What should the lab expect?

A. Routine recovery

B. Special techniques

C. Anaerobic transport

D. Blood culture only

B. Special techniques — B pertussis requires special recovery methods.

425

When collecting a throat swab for suspected group A strep, what contamination should be avoided?

A. Saliva

B. Exudate

C. Tonsillar tissue

D. Posterior pharynx

A. Saliva — saliva flora can overgrow or inhibit GAS.

426

Which throat areas should be sampled for suspected bacterial pharyngitis?

A. Tongue and cheeks

B. Teeth and gums

C. Tonsils, posterior pharynx, exudate

D. Lips, palate, uvula

C. Tonsils, posterior pharynx, exudate — include ulcerative areas if present.

427

A rapid group A strep immunoassay is positive. What is the major strength of immunoassays?

A. High sensitivity

B. Low specificity

C. High specificity

D. Anaerobe detection

C. High specificity — GAS immunoassays are highly specific.

428

Current NAATs for group A strep are best described as having what major advantage?

A. Low contamination risk

B. High sensitivity

C. No transport needs

D. Detects all anaerobes

B. High sensitivity — current GAS NAATs are highly sensitive.

429

Which organisms are relatively resistant to drying during throat specimen handling?

A. GAS, C diphtheriae

B. B pertussis, gonorrhoeae

C. S pneumoniae, meningitidis

D. H influenzae, Moraxella

A. Group A strep and C diphtheriae — both resist drying.

430

A child has suspected epiglottitis. Why should epiglottis culture be avoided?

A. Causes false negatives

B. Requires anaerobic transport

C. May obstruct airway

D. Detects normal flora only

C. May obstruct airway — especially dangerous in children.

431

A specific microbiologic diagnosis of sinusitis requires direct aspiration, anaerobic transport, and what else?

A. Fever-spike timing

B. Saliva dilution

C. Blood culture

D. Prompt processing

D. Prompt processing — sinus aspirates need rapid lab processing.

432

A blood culture grows Candida, while another grows E coli. Collectively, these bloodstream infections are called what?

A. Cellulitis B. Empyema C. Septicemia D. Abscess

C. Septicemia — bacteremia and fungemia are collectively septicemia.

433

A septic patient needs blood cultures before therapy. What collection strategy gives optimal yield?

A. Two to three samples

B. One large syringe

C. One aerobic bottle

D. Fever-spike sampling

A. Two to three samples — collect 2–3 blood samples when possible.

434

A patient already received antibiotics before blood cultures. Why is this suboptimal?

A. Causes false gram stain

B. Inhibits organism recovery

C. Causes anaerobe overgrowth

D. Dilutes the specimen

B. Inhibits organism recovery — cultures are best collected before antibiotics.

435

Which organisms should be inoculated onto culture media immediately after collection?

A. GAS, C diphtheriae

B. S aureus, pneumococcus

C. H influenzae, Moraxella

D. B pertussis, N gonorrhoeae

D. B pertussis and N gonorrhoeae — both are fragile.

436

A cavitary lung infection is suspected to be caused by an organism requiring extended incubation. Which organism fits this concern?

A. Moraxella catarrhalis

B. Streptococcus pneumoniae

C. Mycobacteria

D. Haemophilus influenzae

C. Mycobacteria — mycobacteria need extended incubation.

437

A branching, weakly acid-fast pulmonary pathogen is suspected. How should the lab handle incubation?

A. Stop at 48 hours

B. Extend incubation

C. Refrigerate only

D. Discard early

B. Extend incubation — Nocardiae require longer incubation than routine pathogens.

438

A child presents with fever, ear pain, and bulging tympanic membrane. Which set contains the most common otitis media pathogens?

A. Pneumococcus, H influenzae, Moraxella

B. Pseudomonas, S aureus, Candida

C. Gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia, Treponema

D. Mycobacteria, Nocardia, Legionella

A. Pneumococcus, H influenzae, Moraxella — these are classic otitis media pathogens.

439

Otitis externa culture is needed after treatment failure. What is the best specimen?

A. Middle-ear aspirate

B. Nasal swab

C. Ear-area scraping

D. First-void urine

C. Ear-area scraping — culture uses scraping of the involved ear area.

440

A patient has suspected bacterial conjunctivitis. How should the initial eye surface specimen be collected?

A. Swab before anesthetic

B. Swab after anesthetic

C. Direct eye aspiration

D. First morning urine

A. Swab before anesthetic — topical anesthetics can interfere with recovery.

441

A corneal ulcer is suspected after contact lens use. After surface swabbing, what specimen may be needed?

A. Corneal scraping

B. Midstream urine

C. Nasopharyngeal swab

D. Blood culture

A. Corneal scraping — corneal scrapings are used when necessary.

442

Endophthalmitis is suspected after eye surgery. What is the proper intraocular specimen method?

A. Surface swab

B. Corneal scraping

C. Direct aspiration

D. Eyelid scraping

C. Direct aspiration — intraocular specimens are collected by aspirating the eye.

443

Why are ocular infection cultures often difficult to interpret?

A. Excessive specimen volume

B. Few organisms present

C. Constant anaerobe overgrowth

D. Routine blood contamination

B. Few organisms present — ocular samples are small with low organism burden.

444

An ocular specimen may contain Neisseria gonorrhoeae. What special lab need should be considered?

A. Specialized culture media

B. Extended mycobacterial incubation

C. Anaerobic urine preservative

D. Biphasic blood bottles

A. Specialized culture media — N gonorrhoeae requires special media.

445

An ocular infection is suspected to be caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. Which culture approach is needed?

A. Blood agar only

B. Tissue culture cells

C. Anaerobic broth

D. Routine urine agar

B. Tissue culture cells — Chlamydia requires intracellular culture systems.

446

A urine culture is collected for suspected cystitis. Why is the first portion of urine discarded?

A. It lacks bladder organisms

B. It contains urethral flora

C. It kills anaerobes

D. It prevents pyuria

B. It contains urethral flora — the urethra is colonized by bacteria.

447

A urine specimen cannot be plated immediately. What should be done?

A. Leave at room temperature

B. Warm to 37°C

C. Refrigerate or preserve

D. Freeze before transport

C. Refrigerate or preserve — this prevents overgrowth before culture.

448

Why should urine culture transport not be delayed?

A. Pathogens grow in urine

B. Urine rapidly clots

C. NAATs become nonspecific

D. Pyuria disappears instantly

A. Pathogens grow in urine — delay can falsely increase colony counts.

449

A urine culture plate is inoculated with a calibrated loop. What volume is typically used?

A. 1–10 µL

B. 0.5–1 mL

C. 5–10 mL

D. 20–30 mL

A. 1–10 µL — measured inoculation allows colony quantification.

450

Why is a measured urine volume plated for culture?

A. Quantify organism burden

B. Prevent oxygen exposure

C. Detect exotoxin genes

D. Remove urethral cells

A. Quantify organism burden — colony counts help judge significance.

451

A symptomatic patient has pyuria but only low colony counts. How should this be interpreted?

A. Always contamination

B. Potentially significant

C. Reject automatically

D. Ignore without testing

B. Potentially significant — small numbers matter when pyuria is present.

452

Most labs evaluating sexually transmitted urethritis focus on which pathogens?

A. Gonorrhoeae and trachomatis

B. Pneumococcus and Moraxella

C. Mycobacteria and Nocardia

D. Pseudomonas and Staph

A. Gonorrhoeae and trachomatis — NAATs commonly target these organisms.

453

A man has dysuria and urethral discharge. Which urine specimen is preferred for GC/CT NAAT?

A. Midstream urine

B. First-void urine

C. Refrigerated catheter urine

D. Discarded first portion

B. First-void urine — urethritis organisms are captured early.

454

A woman has suspected cystitis rather than urethritis. Which urine collection best reduces urethral contamination?

A. First-void urine

B. Midstream urine

C. Eye aspirate

D. Corneal scraping

B. Midstream urine — cystitis testing avoids urethral contamination.

455

A patient has a painless genital chancre, but the suspected organism cannot be cultured. Which diagnostic approach is appropriate?

A. Stool culture

B. Darkfield or serology

C. Blood agar culture

D. Broth dilution

B. Darkfield or serology — Treponema pallidum cannot be cultured routinely.

456

A spirochete is suspected in a syphilis lesion, but brightfield microscopy is negative. Why can this happen?

A. Too thick

B. Nonmotile organism

C. Intracellular growth

D. Too thin

D. Too thin — Treponema pallidum is too thin for brightfield microscopy.

457

A clinician collects fluid from a suspected syphilitic chancre for microscopy. When should the exam be performed?

A. After refrigeration

B. After 24 hours

C. At collection

D. After freezing

C. At collection — T pallidum dies rapidly with air and drying.

458

A stool specimen for enteric culture sits unprocessed for hours. Which change can harm pathogens such as Shigella?

A. Alkaline shift

B. Acidic shift

C. Oxygen depletion

D. Bile dilution

B. Acidic shift — bacterial metabolism acidifies stool and can kill Shigella.

459

Why should stool specimens be transported promptly for culture?

A. Prevent toxic pH changes

B. Increase bacterial metabolism

C. Preserve urine volume

D. Prevent antibody loss

A. Prevent toxic pH changes — acidic changes can inhibit some enteric pathogens.

460

A rectal swab is submitted for routine stool culture. Why is this specimen poor?

A. Too anaerobic

B. Too acidic

C. Inadequate pathogen recovery

D. Excessive stool volume

C. Inadequate pathogen recovery — rectal swabs are not ideal for stool culture.

461

Transport of a stool specimen will be delayed. Which medium is appropriate?

A. Chocolate agar

B. Cary-Blair medium

C. Thioglycolate broth

D. Loeffler medium

B. Cary-Blair medium — delayed fecal specimens need preservative transport medium.

462

Which preservative can be used for delayed stool transport?

A. Phosphate-glycerol buffer

B. Sheep blood agar

C. Mueller-Hinton agar

D. Sabouraud agar

A. Phosphate-glycerol buffer — phosphate buffer with glycerol helps preserve feces.

463

A patient has rapid vomiting after reheated rice. Stool culture is negative for the causative organism. Why?

A. Intracellular infection

B. Preformed toxin disease

C. Slow anaerobic growth

D. Acid-fast organism

B. Preformed toxin disease — B cereus illness is toxin-mediated before ingestion.

464

Which organisms are not expected in stool because illness is caused by preformed food toxin?

A. Shigella, Salmonella

B. Vibrio, Campylobacter

C. S aureus, B cereus

D. Giardia, Cryptosporidium

C. S aureus, B cereus — disease comes from toxin already in food.

465

A clinician strongly suspects a specific unusual enteric pathogen. What should be done for optimal testing?

A. Notify the laboratory

B. Delay specimen transport

C. Request rectal swab

D. Avoid preservatives

A. Notify the laboratory — special media or tests may be required.

466

Why can culture-based enteric pathogen identification take several days?

A. Feces lacks bacteria

B. Feces has mixed flora

C. Culture is always anaerobic

D. NAAT blocks growth

B. Feces has mixed flora — many normal and pathogenic bacteria are present.

467

Which method is becoming preferred for broad enteric pathogen detection?

A. High multiplex NAAT

B. Gram stain only

C. Blood culture

D. Broth dilution

A. High multiplex NAAT — it is rapid and more sensitive than culture.

468

High multiplex NAAT can detect common enteric pathogens directly from fecal swabs in what time?

A. 24–48 hours

B. 1–3 hours

C. 3–5 days

D. 2–4 weeks

B. 1–3 hours — multiplex NAAT gives results in hours.

469

High multiplex NAAT is especially useful for pathogenic E coli because it can distinguish it from what?

A. Normal enteric E coli

B. C difficile toxin

C. Acid-fast rods

D. Anaerobic lung flora

A. Normal enteric E coli — pathogenic strains may resemble normal flora by culture.

470

In a broth dilution test, antibiotics are prepared how?

A. On paper disks

B. In dilution series

C. On corneal scrapings

D. Inside blood bottles

B. In dilution series — serial antibiotic dilutions are inoculated with bacteria.

471

Broth dilution testing is used to determine which value?

A. O antigen

B. Toxin titer

C. MIC

D. Capsule thickness

C. MIC

472

A historical antibacterial compound is inactive until metabolized in the body into sulfanilamide. Which drug is being described?

A. Penicillin

B. Protosil

C. Cephalexin

D. Methicillin

B. Protosil — it is converted to sulfanilamide, the first antibacterial sulfa drug.

473

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin after observing Penicillium inhibit which organism?

Staphylococci

474

A septic patient is started on antibiotics before culture results return. What is this initial treatment strategy called?

A. Empirical therapy

B. Directed therapy

C. Prophylactic therapy

D. Suppressive therapy

A. Empirical therapy — initial therapy is chosen before susceptibility results are known.

475

A patient’s culture later shows resistance to the initial antibiotic. What should guide the antibiotic change?

A. Fever pattern

B. Gram stain color

C. Susceptibility results

D. Colony size

C. Susceptibility results — therapy is refined after in vitro testing.

476

Most antibacterial drugs act by inhibiting which bacterial process?

A. Protein export

B. Cell wall synthesis

C. DNA methylation

D. Capsule formation

B. Cell wall synthesis — this is the most common antibiotic mechanism.

477

A beta-lactam antibiotic kills bacteria by binding which target?

A. Porins

B. Ribosomes

C. DNA gyrase

D. Penicillin-binding proteins

D. PBPs — beta-lactams bind penicillin-binding proteins.

478

After beta-lactams block cross-linking, which bacterial enzymes contribute to cell death?

A. Transposases

B. Autolysins

C. Ligases

D. Catalases

B. Autolysins — activated autolysins help lyse the bacterium.

479

Penicillin-binding proteins are best described as which enzyme class?

A. Zinc metalloproteases

B. Serine proteases

C. Aminoglycoside acetyltransferases

D. DNA polymerases

B. Serine proteases — PBPs include transpeptidases and related enzymes.

480

Which beta-lactam resistance mechanism physically destroys the antibiotic ring?

A. PBP overproduction

B. Beta-lactamase hydrolysis

C. Porin enlargement

D. Autolysin activation

B. Beta-lactamase hydrolysis — beta-lactamases cleave the beta-lactam ring.

481

A gram-negative bacterium alters outer membrane channels to reduce beta-lactam entry. Which structure changed?

A. Porins

B. PBPs

C. Ribosomes

D. Autolysins

A. Porins — altered size or charge reduces entry.

482

Which resistance mechanism actively removes beta-lactams from gram-negative cells?

A. PBP mutation

B. Efflux pumps

C. Capsule shedding

D. Spore formation

B. Efflux pumps — they pump beta-lactams away from targets.

483

Why are porin and efflux beta-lactam resistance mechanisms limited to gram-negative bacteria?

A. They lack PBPs

B. They lack ribosomes

C. They have outer membranes

D. They lack peptidoglycan

C. They have outer membranes — porin-dependent entry is gram-negative specific.

484

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) resists beta-lactams primarily through which change?

A. New PBP

B. Lost porins

C. ESBL plasmid

D. Zinc enzyme

A. New PBP — MRSA acquires a beta-lactam-resistant PBP.

485

Which PBP-based beta-lactam resistance mechanism is described as rare?

A. New PBP

B. PBP overproduction

C. PBP loss

D. PBP secretion

B. PBP overproduction — this is a rare decreased-binding mechanism.

486

Streptococcus ______ develops beta-lactam resistance after ______ changes its PBPs.

pneumoniae

recombination

487

Enterococcus faecium develops beta-lactam resistance by ____ mutation affecting ____s

point

PBPs

488

A Klebsiella isolate produces TEM-1. Which beta-lactamase description is most accurate?

A. Carbapenemase metalloenzyme

B. Class A penicillinase

C. Class C cephalosporinase

D. Class D oxacillinase

B. Class A penicillinase — TEM-1 is a common class A penicillinase.

489

SHV-1 and TEM-1 have minimal activity against which antibiotic group?

A. Penicillins

B. Cephalosporins

C. Monobactams

D. Carbapenems

B. Cephalosporins — these classic penicillinases poorly hydrolyze cephalosporins.

490

SHV-1 and TEM-1 are commonly found in which organisms?

Common gram-____ ____

common gram-negative rods

491

A plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase hydrolyzes all penicillins and cephalosporins. What is it called?

A. TEM-1

B. SHV-1

C. ESBL

D. PBP2a

C. ESBL — extended-spectrum beta-lactamases target penicillins and cephalosporins.

492

Why are ESBL-producing organisms especially concerning in hospitals?

A. Plasmid-mediated transfer

B. No cell wall target

C. No susceptibility testing

D. Heat-stable toxin

A. Plasmid-mediated transfer — many ESBL genes spread between organisms.

493

A beta-lactamase requires Zn2+ and has broad activity including carbapenems. Which class is this?

A. Class A

B. Class B

C. Class C

D. Class D

B. Class B — metallo-beta-lactamases are zinc-dependent.

494

Which beta-lactams are included in the broad activity of class B metallo-beta-lactamases?

A. Macrolides and tetracyclines

B. Cephamycins and carbapenems

C. Sulfonamides and quinolones

D. Aminoglycosides and oxazolidinones

B. Cephamycins and carbapenems — class B enzymes broadly hydrolyze beta-lactams.

495

An Enterobacter isolate has chromosomal beta-lactamase activity that mainly hydrolyzes cephalosporins. Which enzyme class fits best?

A. Class A

B. Class B

C. Class C

D. Class D

C. Class C — class C beta-lactamases are chromosomal cephalosporinases.

496

A chromosomal cephalosporinase is usually silent but becomes highly expressed after beta-lactam exposure. What best explains this?

A. Inducible expression

B. Capsule switching

C. Ribosomal methylation

D. Folate bypass

A. Inducible expression — class C beta-lactamases are usually repressed but can be induced.

497

A hospitalized patient’s gram-negative rod becomes resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins after regulatory mutation. Which enzyme is most likely increased?

A. Class D penicillinase

B. Class C cephalosporinase

C. Class B transpeptidase

D. Class A porinase

B. Class C cephalosporinase — regulatory mutations can increase class C expression.

498

Class D beta-lactamases are best described as which enzymes?

A. Metalloenzymes

B. Cephalosporinases

C. Penicillinases

D. Carbapenemases

C. Penicillinases — class D beta-lactamases are primarily penicillinases.

499

Class D beta-lactamases are found primarily in which organisms?

Gram-____ ____

Gram-negative rods

500

Penicillin is derived from which mold?

A. Aspergillus fumigatus

B. Penicillium chrysogenum

C. Rhizopus oryzae

D. Candida albicans

B. Penicillium chrysogenum — penicillin comes from this mold.

501

During penicillin production, fermentation of Penicillium produces large amounts of which intermediate?

A. 6-APA

B. 7-ACA

C. PBP2a

D. Lipid A

A. 6-APA — modification of 6-APA produces different penicillin derivatives.

502

Biochemical modification of 6-APA can improve which property?

A. Acid resistance

B. Ribosomal binding

C. Folate uptake

D. Capsule thickness

A. Acid resistance — 6-APA modification can improve stomach acid stability.

503

A modified penicillin is designed to survive penicillinase. Which change is being targeted?

A. Enzyme resistance

B. Oxygen tolerance

C. Ribosome entry

D. Toxin binding

A. Enzyme resistance — 6-APA modification can increase penicillinase resistance.

504

Which penicillin is destroyed by gastric acid and therefore given intravenously?

A. Penicillin V

B. Ampicillin

C. Penicillin G

D. Oxacillin

C. Penicillin G — G is gastric-acid labile and given IV.

505

Which penicillin is acid resistant and preferred orally?

A. Methicillin

B. Penicillin V

C. Piperacillin

D. Penicillin G

B. Penicillin V — V is acid stable and used orally.

506

Which pair contains penicillinase-resistant penicillins?

A. Ampicillin, amoxicillin

B. Methicillin, oxacillin

C. Ticarcillin, piperacillin

D. Penicillin G, V

B. Methicillin, oxacillin — these treat susceptible staphylococcal infections.

507

Which drug was the first broad-spectrum penicillin?

A. Ampicillin

B. Oxacillin

C. Methicillin

D. Nafcillin

A. Ampicillin — it was the first broad-spectrum penicillin.

508

Ampicillin expanded penicillin activity mainly against which organisms?

A. Escherichia, Proteus, Haemophilus

B. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus

C. Pseudomonas, Serratia, Acinetobacter

D. Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium

A. Escherichia, Proteus, Haemophilus — ampicillin’s gram-negative rod activity was limited mainly to these.

509

Which set contains beta-lactamase inhibitors?

A. Clavulanate, sulbactam, tazobactam

B. Methicillin, oxacillin, nafcillin

C. Ampicillin, amoxicillin, piperacillin

D. Cefazolin, ceftriaxone, cefepime

A. Clavulanate, sulbactam, tazobactam — these are common beta-lactamase inhibitors.

510

Which beta-lactamase inhibitor does not follow the “-bactam” naming pattern?

A. Sulbactam

B. Tazobactam

C. Avibactam

D. Clavulanate

D. Clavulanate — the others end in “-bactam.”

511

A beta-lactamase inhibitor is added to amoxicillin. What does the inhibitor do?

A. Blocks ribosomes

B. Irreversibly inhibits beta-lactamase

C. Opens porins

D. Activates autolysins

B. Irreversibly inhibits beta-lactamase — this protects the companion beta-lactam.

512

Beta-lactamase inhibitors mainly allow the companion antibiotic to do what?

A. Inhibit cell wall synthesis

B. Block protein synthesis

C. Inhibit folate metabolism

D. Damage bacterial DNA

A. Inhibit cell wall synthesis — the protected beta-lactam can still bind PBPs.

513

Beta-lactamase inhibitors alone usually have which property?

A. Strong monotherapy activity

B. Little antibacterial activity

C. Broad ribosomal activity

D. Direct endotoxin activity

B. Little antibacterial activity — they mainly protect companion beta-lactams.

514

Cephalosporins and cephamycins share which penicillin-like mechanism?

A. PBP inhibition

B. Ribosome inhibition

C. DNA gyrase inhibition

D. Folate inhibition

A. PBP inhibition — they inhibit cell wall synthesis through PBPs.

515

Compared with penicillins, cephalosporins and cephamycins generally have what advantage?

A. Wider spectrum

B. Lower absorption

C. Weaker stability

D. Shorter half-life

A. Wider spectrum — they generally have broader activity, better beta-lactamase resistance, and improved pharmacokinetics.

516

Cephalosporins were originally isolated from which mold?

A. Penicillium

B. Cephalosporium

C. Aspergillus

D. Rhizopus

B. Cephalosporium — cephalosporins were originally isolated from this mold.

517

Cephalosporins are derived from which core structure?

A. 6-APA

B. 7-ACA

C. PBP2a

D. D-Ala-D-Ala

B. 7-ACA — cephalosporins derive from 7-aminocephalosporanic acid.

518

In cephalosporins, the beta-lactam ring is fused to what ring?

A. Thiazolidine

B. Dihydrothiazine

C. Imidazole

D. Lactone

B. Dihydrothiazine — cephalosporins have a beta-lactam fused with dihydrothiazine.

519

Cephamycins differ from cephalosporins by having oxygen replace which atom?

A. Nitrogen

B. Carbon

C. Sulfur

D. Zinc

C. Sulfur — oxygen replaces sulfur in the dihydrothiazine ring.

520

Cephamycins are more resistant than cephalosporins to what process?

A. Beta-lactamase hydrolysis

B. Renal filtration

C. Gastric absorption

D. PBP binding

A. Beta-lactamase hydrolysis — this structural change increases beta-lactamase resistance.

521

As cephalosporin generations increase, which trend generally occurs?

A. More gram-negative activity

B. Less beta-lactamase stability

C. Less antibacterial spectrum

D. More gastric destruction

A. More gram-negative activity — later generations generally gain gram-negative activity and beta-lactamase stability.

522

A clinician chooses a narrow 1st-gen cephalosporin. Which coverage profile best fits this generation?

A. Anaerobes, Enterobacter, Serratia

B. Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae

C. EKP, oxacillin-susceptible cocci

D. MRSA, Enterococcus, Nocardia

C. EKP, oxacillin-susceptible cocci — 1st-gen cephalosporins mainly cover E coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, and oxacillin-susceptible gram-positive cocci.

523

A 2nd-gen cephalosporin is selected because broader gram-negative coverage is needed than 1st-gen agents provide. Which added organisms fit?

Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter species, Neisseria species, Serratia species, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae

HENS PEcK

524

A patient has a mixed intra-abdominal infection with concern for Bacteroides fragilis. Which cephalosporin generation may include some anaerobic activity?

A. First

B. Fourth

C. Third

D. Second

D. Second — some expanded-spectrum 2nd-gen cephalosporins cover anaerobes such as B fragilis.

525

A hospitalized patient needs cephalosporin coverage for Pseudomonas and most Enterobacteriaceae. Which cephalosporin group best fits?

A. First only

B. Third or fourth

C. Second only

D. None

B. Third or fourth — broad 3rd-gen and extended 4th-gen cephalosporins can cover most Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas.

526

A fourth-generation cephalosporin is chosen over earlier agents for a resistant gram-negative infection. What advantage is being targeted?

A. Greater beta-lactamase stability

B. Stronger anaerobe-only activity

C. Reliable MRSA coverage

D. Better antiviral activity

A. Greater beta-lactamase stability — later cephalosporins generally have increased gram-negative activity and beta-lactamase stability.

527

Gram-negative resistance has significantly compromised cephalosporins and cephamycins. What mechanism is mainly responsible?

A. Ribosomal methylation

B. Folate bypass

C. Beta-lactamase production

D. Ergosterol alteration

C. Beta-lactamase production — many gram-negative bacteria resist these agents by producing beta-lactamases.

528

Which set contains carbapenems?

A. Aztreonam, oxacillin, cefepime

B. Imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, doripenem

C. Vancomycin, linezolid, daptomycin, rifampin

D. Clavulanate, sulbactam, tazobactam, avibactam

B. Imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, doripenem — these are carbapenems.

"penems"

529

A narrow beta-lactam is chosen specifically for aerobic gram-negative bacteria while sparing much normal flora. Which class fits?

A. Monobactams

B. Carbapenems

C. Glycopeptides

D. Cephamycins

A. Monobactams — monobactams are narrow-spectrum beta-lactams active only against aerobic gram-negative bacteria.

530

A patient with gram-negative infection receives aztreonam. Which drug class is aztreonam?

A. Carbapenem

B. Cephamycin

C. Monobactam

D. Glycopeptide

C. Monobactam — aztreonam is the main monobactam.

531

Which organisms are resistant to monobactams?

_____ and gram-_____

Anaerobes and gram-positives

532

What is the main advantage of narrow-spectrum antibiotics like monobactams?

A. Stronger MRSA killing

B. Better fungal coverage

C. No resistance risk

D. Less flora disruption

D. Less flora disruption — narrow therapy can treat susceptible organisms while preserving protective normal flora.

533

Despite their narrow-spectrum advantage, monobactams are best described clinically as:

A. not widely used

B. first-line for anaerobes

C. active against MRSA

D. preferred for fungi

A. Not widely used — monobactams have a useful spectrum but are not used broadly.

534

A Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate produces the most common class A carbapenemase. Which enzyme is this?

A. NDM

B. AmpC

C. KPC

D. OXA

C. KPC — Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase is the most common class A carbapenemase.

535

Class A carbapenemases can occur in Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae. What does this imply?

A. Narrow organism distribution

B. Broad bacterial distribution

C. Gram-positive restriction

D. Anaerobic restriction

B. Broad bacterial distribution — class A carbapenemases have been found across many bacteria.

536

Carbapenem resistance has become widespread in recent years because of what mechanism?

A. Carbapenemase production

B. Porphyrin synthesis

C. Capsule loss

D. Flagellar deletion

A. Carbapenemase production — carbapenemases mediate widespread carbapenem resistance.

537

A gram-negative isolate produces New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase. Which carbapenemase class is involved?

A. Class B

B. Class C

C. Class D

D. Class A

A. Class B — NDM is the most common class B carbapenemase.

538

A lab suspects an NDM-producing gram-negative rod. Which diagnostic limitation is important?

A. Culture cannot grow it

B. Conventional tests miss it

C. Gram stain is impossible

D. NAAT is contraindicated

B. Conventional tests miss it — class B carbapenemases may not be reliably detected by conventional susceptibility testing.

539

A carbapenemase requires zinc for activity and hydrolyzes many beta-lactams. Which enzyme type is this?

A. Penicillinase

B. Cephalosporinase

C. Metallo-beta-lactamase

D. Transpeptidase

C. Metallo-beta-lactamase — class B carbapenemases require zinc.

540

class B metallo-beta-lactamases broadly inactivate beta-lactam ____

antibiotics

541

Class D carbapenemases are primarily associated with which organism?

A. Acinetobacter

B. Enterococcus

C. Staphylococcus

D. Streptococcus

A. Acinetobacter — class D carbapenemases are especially important in Acinetobacter.

542

An Acinetobacter strain produces a class D carbapenemase. What resistance pattern is most concerning?

A. Penicillin resistance

B. Cephalosporin resistance

C. Near pan-resistance

D. Macrolide resistance

C. Near pan-resistance — these strains are often resistant to almost all antibiotics, with few exceptions.

543

Vancomycin is a complex glycopeptide originally obtained from which organism?

A. Penicillium chrysogenum

B. Cephalosporium acremonium

C. Bacillus subtilis

D. Streptomyces orientalis

D. Streptomyces orientalis — vancomycin was originally obtained from this organism.

544

Vancomycin inhibits cell wall synthesis by binding which peptidoglycan terminus?

A. D-Ala-D-Ser

B. D-Ala-D-Ala

C. D-Ala-D-Lac

D. L-Ala-D-Glu

B. D-Ala-D-Ala — vancomycin binds this terminus on peptidoglycan precursors.

545

Vancomycin binding prevents which cell wall process?

A. Peptidoglycan cross-linking

B. DNA supercoiling

C. Ribosomal translocation

D. Folate synthesis

A. Peptidoglycan cross-linking — vancomycin blocks bridge formation between peptidoglycan chains.

546

A patient has MRSA bacteremia. Which antibiotic is classically used because of beta-lactam resistance?

A. Cefazolin

B. Aztreonam

C. Ampicillin

D. Vancomycin

D. Vancomycin — it treats oxacillin-resistant staphylococci and other resistant gram-positive infections.

547

Vancomycin has activity against which bacteria?

Gram-_____ bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria

548

Why is vancomycin inactive against gram-negative bacteria?

A. Destroyed by beta-lactamases

B. Too large for outer pores

C. Inactivated by Lipid A

D. Requires oxygen transport

B. Too large for outer pores — it cannot pass through gram-negative outer membrane pores.

549

Intrinsic vancomycin resistance usually replaces D-Ala-D-Ala with what terminus?

A. D-Ala-D-Lac

B. L-Ala-L-Ala

C. D-Glu-D-Ala

D. D-Lac-D-Lac

A. D-Ala-D-Lac — this prevents vancomycin from binding effectively.

550

Less commonly, intrinsic vancomycin resistance can replace D-Ala-D-Ala with what terminus?

A. D-Ala-D-Lac

B. D-Ala-D-Ser

C. D-Ser-D-Ser

D. L-Ala-D-Lac

B. D-Ala-D-Ser — this is a less common intrinsic resistance terminus.

551

Which organisms are intrinsically resistant to vancomycin?

A. MRSA, MSSA, S epidermidis

B. E faecium, E faecalis

C. Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Erysipelothrix

D. E coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Serratia

C. Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Erysipelothrix — these organisms have intrinsic vancomycin resistance.

552

Acquired vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus is primarily mediated by which genes?

A. mecA and mecC

B. ampC and blaZ

C. tetM and ermB

D. vanA and vanB

D. vanA and vanB — these plasmid-mediated genes alter the peptidoglycan terminus.

553

The most important Enterococcus species with acquired vancomycin resistance are:

A. E coli, E cloacae

B. E faecium, E faecalis

C. E aerogenes, E tarda

D. E rhusiopathiae, E corrodens

B. E faecium, E faecalis — VRE is seen mainly in these species.

554

A patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is given cycloserine. Which enzyme pair is directly inhibited?

A. Transpeptidase; transglycosylase

B. Alanine racemase; D-Ala-D-Ala synthetase

C. DNA gyrase; topoisomerase IV

D. MurA; MurB

B. Alanine racemase; D-Ala-D-Ala synthetase — cycloserine blocks enzymes needed for cell wall synthesis.

555

Aminoglycosides inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by binding which target?

A. 50S peptidyl-transferase

B. 50S exit tunnel

C. 30S rRNA helix

D. 30S ribosomal proteins

D. 30S ribosomal proteins — aminoglycosides bind irreversibly to the 30S subunit.

556

Which structural description best fits aminoglycosides?

A. Amino sugars; aminocyclitol ring

B. Beta-lactam; thiazolidine ring

C. Macrocyclic lactone; deoxy sugars

D. Peptide core; lipid tail

A. Amino sugars; aminocyclitol ring — aminoglycosides contain amino sugars linked to an aminocyclitol ring.

557

Streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, and tobramycin were originally isolated from which organism group?

A. Micromonospora species

B. Penicillium species

C. Cephalosporium species

D. Streptomyces species

D. Streptomyces species — these aminoglycosides were originally isolated from Streptomyces.

558

Gentamicin and sisomicin were originally isolated from which source?

A. Streptomyces species

B. Micromonospora species

C. Penicillium chrysogenum

D. Streptomyces orientalis

B. Micromonospora species — gentamicin and sisomicin came from Micromonospora.

559

Aminoglycoside binding causes abnormal proteins by which mechanism?

A. Blocks peptide-bond formation

B. Prevents ribosomal assembly

C. Misreads mRNA

D. Blocks aminoacyl-tRNA entry

C. Misreads mRNA — aminoglycosides cause incorrect translation and aberrant proteins.

560

Aminoglycosides interrupt protein synthesis partly by causing which ribosomal event?

A. Premature ribosome release

B. Delayed ribosome recycling

C. Excessive peptide elongation

D. Failed mRNA transcription

A. Premature ribosome release — ribosomes detach early from mRNA.

561

Why are aminoglycosides bactericidal rather than bacteriostatic?

A. They chelate bacterial calcium

B. They lyse outer membranes

C. They inhibit folate synthesis

D. They bind ribosomes irreversibly

D. They bind ribosomes irreversibly — irreversible 30S binding contributes to bacterial killing.

562

Aminoglycosides are commonly used for serious infections caused by which organisms?

Gram-____ ____

Gram-negative rods — they treat serious infections from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter.

563

Which infection would respond poorly to aminoglycosides despite in vitro susceptibility?

A. Aerobic bacteremia

B. Pseudomonas pneumonia

C. Anaerobic abscess

D. Enterobacter sepsis

C. Anaerobic abscess — aminoglycoside entry requires oxygen-dependent uptake.

564

Streptococci and enterococci resist aminoglycosides mainly because of poor penetration through what structure?

A. Cell wall

B. Outer membrane

C. Capsule

D. Biofilm

A. Cell wall — aminoglycosides penetrate their cell wall poorly.

565

A patient with enterococcal endocarditis receives gentamicin plus ampicillin. Why add the cell wall inhibitor?

A. Prevents enzymatic modification

B. Facilitates aminoglycoside uptake

C. Blocks ribosomal methylation

D. Inhibits folate escape

B. Facilitates aminoglycoside uptake — cell wall inhibitors improve aminoglycoside entry.

566

Which aminoglycosides are most commonly used systemically?

A. Neomycin, kanamycin, streptomycin

B. Streptomycin, sisomicin, netilmicin

C. Amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin

D. Gentamicin, neomycin, kanamycin

C. Amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin — these are the commonly used aminoglycosides.

567

Streptomycin has been used to treat tuberculosis and which other infection?

A. Tularemia

B. Diphtheria

C. Cholera

D. Syphilis

A. Tularemia — streptomycin has been used for TB and tularemia.

568

A gentamicin-resistant enterococcal infection requires aminoglycoside synergy with penicillin. Which aminoglycoside is noted for this use?

A. Tobramycin

B. Streptomycin

C. Amikacin

D. Neomycin

B. Streptomycin — it can be used with penicillin for gentamicin-resistant streptococcal or enterococcal infections.

569

Which aminoglycoside has the best activity and is often reserved for resistant gram-negative infections?

A. Gentamicin

B. Tobramycin

C. Amikacin

D.Neomycin

C. Amikacin — it is often reserved for gentamicin- or tobramycin-resistant gram-negative bacteria.

570

An aminoglycoside-resistant isolate has low-level resistance to all aminoglycosides after reduced drug entry. Which mechanism fits?

A. Decreased uptake

B. Ribosomal mutation

C. Enzymatic modification

D. Target methylation

A. Decreased uptake — decreased uptake can cause low-level cross-resistance.

571

Which aminoglycoside resistance mechanism is uncommon because multiple ribosomal genes must mutate?

A. Increased efflux

B. Decreased uptake

C. Enzymatic modification

D. Binding-site mutation

D. Binding-site mutation — ribosomal mutation is uncommon.

572

Active efflux-mediated aminoglycoside resistance occurs only in which bacteria?

Gram-____ bacteria

Gram-negative bacteria

aminoglycoside efflux is rare and gram-negative specific.

573

What is the most common mechanism of aminoglycoside resistance?

A. Porin deletion

B. Enzymatic modification

C. Ribosomal mutation

D. Drug target loss

B. Enzymatic modification — APHs, ANTs, and AACs are the major resistance mechanism.

574

Aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes act on which drug groups?

A. Amino and hydroxyl groups

B. Beta-lactam rings

C. D-Ala-D-Ala termini

D. Ribosomal methyl groups

A. Amino and hydroxyl groups — APHs, ANTs, and AACs modify these groups.

575

Differences in aminoglycoside activity mainly reflect differences in what property?

A. Beta-lactamase stability

B. Enzyme susceptibility

C. Folate affinity

D. Capsule penetration

B. Enzyme susceptibility — aminoglycosides differ in vulnerability to modifying enzymes.

576

Tetracyclines inhibit protein synthesis by binding which ribosomal subunit?

A. 50S irreversibly

B. 50S reversibly

C. 30S reversibly

D. 30S irreversibly

C. 30S reversibly — tetracyclines reversibly bind the 30S subunit.

577

What is the mechanism of action of tetracyclines?

They are bacteriostatic, binding to ____ and preventing the attachment of _____-_____

30S

aminoacyl-tRNA

578

Which best compares tetracyclines with aminoglycosides?

A. Reversible; bacteriostatic

B. Irreversible; bacteriostatic

C. Reversible; bactericidal

D. Irreversible; bactericidal

A. Reversible; bacteriostatic — tetracyclines reversibly bind 30S and are bacteriostatic.

579

Which set contains tetracycline-class antibiotics?

A. Doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline

B. Gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin

C. Aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem

D. Vancomycin, teicoplanin, bacitracin

A. Doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline — these are tetracyclines.

580

A patient has atypical pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma. Which class has activity against this organism?

A. Aminoglycosides

B. Carbapenems

C. Tetracyclines

D. Monobactams

C. Tetracyclines — tetracyclines cover Mycoplasma.

581

Tetracyclines are useful against which intracellular or atypical pathogen group?

A. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Rickettsia

B. Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus

C. Pseudomonas, Proteus, Acinetobacter

D. Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium

A. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Rickettsia — tetracyclines cover these organisms.

582

Which tetracyclines are easily absorbed and have longer half-lives?

A. Tetracycline, demeclocycline

B. Doxycycline, minocycline

C. Tigecycline, eravacycline

D. Oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline

B. Doxycycline, minocycline — these are well absorbed and longer-acting.

583

A tetracycline-resistant gram-negative isolate pumps drug out despite an unchanged ribosomal target. What is the most common tetracycline resistance mechanism?

A. Porin enlargement

B. Target methylation

C. Active efflux

D. Drug phosphorylation

C. Active efflux — active efflux is the most common tetracycline resistance mechanism.

584

A chromosomal mutation in OmpF causes low-level resistance to tetracyclines, beta-lactams, quinolones, and chloramphenicol. What changed?

A. Outer membrane porin

B. 23S rRNA

C. Peptidyl transferase

D. Aminoacyl-tRNA

A. Outer membrane porin — OmpF porin mutation decreases permeability to several antibiotics.

585

Which mechanism is a recognized but less common tetracycline resistance pathway?

A. D-Ala-D-Lac replacement

B. Altered ribosomal target

C. Beta-lactam ring hydrolysis

D. EF-2 ADP-ribosylation

B. Altered ribosomal target — tetracycline resistance can also involve ribosomal target changes.

586

A semisynthetic minocycline derivative is chosen because it resists common tetracycline efflux mechanisms. Which drug is this?

A. Linezolid

B. Tigecycline

C. Chloramphenicol

D. Telithromycin

B. Tigecycline — tigecycline is a semisynthetic minocycline derivative.

587

Tigecycline inhibits protein synthesis by which mechanism?

A. Blocks 70S initiation

B. Blocks tRNA binding

C. Blocks peptide elongation

D. Blocks peptidyl transferase

B. Blocks tRNA binding — tigecycline works like tetracyclines at the 30S subunit.

588

Compared with older tetracyclines, tigecycline has what advantage?

A. Higher ribosome affinity

B. Stronger beta-lactamase inhibition

C. Irreversible 50S binding

D. Better DNA gyrase inhibition

A. Higher ribosome affinity — tigecycline binds ribosomes more tightly.

589

Tigecycline is less affected by which resistance mechanisms?

A. Efflux and enzymatic modification

B. Porin loss and PBP mutation

C. Methylation and ester hydrolysis

D. Acetylation and ribosome release

A. Efflux and enzymatic modification — tigecycline avoids many tetracycline resistance mechanisms.

590

Which spectrum best fits tigecycline?

A. Aerobic gram-negatives only

B. Gram-positives and fungi

C. Gram-positive, gram-negative, anaerobes

D. Anaerobes and mycobacteria

C. Gram-positive, gram-negative, anaerobes — tigecycline has broad coverage.

591

An oxazolidinone binds the 50S subunit and prevents 70S initiation complex formation. Which drug is this?

A. Azithromycin

B. Doxycycline

C. Linezolid

D. Chloramphenicol

C. Linezolid — linezolid blocks initiation of protein synthesis.

592

Linezolid blocks protein synthesis at which step?

A. mRNA misreading

B. 70S initiation formation

C. Aminoacyl-tRNA entry

D. Peptidoglycan cross-linking

B. 70S initiation formation — linezolid prevents formation of the initiation complex.

593

Why does linezolid have no cross-resistance with other protein synthesis inhibitors?

A. Unique mechanism

B. Broad gram-negative entry

C. Irreversible 30S binding

D. Beta-lactamase inhibition

A. Unique mechanism — its 70S initiation-blocking mechanism is distinct.

594

Linezolid is generally reserved for which infection type?

A. Resistant enterococcal infections

B. Uncomplicated cystitis

C. Viral pneumonitis

D. Anaerobic abscesses

A. Resistant enterococcal infections — linezolid is often reserved for multidrug-resistant enterococci.

595

Linezolid has activity against which organisms?

A. Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter

B. Staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci

C. Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium

D. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Rickettsia

B. Staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci — linezolid targets resistant gram-positive organisms.

596

A vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus infection is treated with a protein synthesis inhibitor. Which drug fits best?

A. Gentamicin

B. Linezolid

C. Cefepime

D. Aztreonam

B. Linezolid — linezolid covers enterococci resistant to vancomycin.

597

Chloramphenicol blocks peptide elongation by binding which target?

A. 30S decoding site

B. 23S rRNA methylase

C. 50S peptidyl transferase

D. 70S initiation complex

C. 50S peptidyl transferase — chloramphenicol reversibly inhibits this 50S component.

598

Chloramphenicol is best described as what type of antibiotic?

A. Narrow, bactericidal

B. Broad, bacteriostatic

C. Narrow, bacteriostatic

D. Broad, bactericidal

B. Broad, bacteriostatic — chloramphenicol has broad static activity.

599

Chloramphenicol has a broad spectrum most similar to which class?

A. Tetracyclines

B. Glycopeptides

C. Monobactams

D. Aminoglycosides

A. Tetracyclines — chloramphenicol has broad activity similar to tetracyclines.

600

Why is chloramphenicol rarely used in the United States?

A. Severe marrow toxicity

B. Poor oral absorption

C. Rapid renal clearance

D. No bacterial activity

A. Severe marrow toxicity — chloramphenicol can damage bone marrow.

601

The major life-threatening toxicity of chloramphenicol is what?

A. Aplastic anemia

B. Tendon rupture

C. Red man syndrome

D. Hemolytic anemia

A. Aplastic anemia — chloramphenicol can cause serious blood dyscrasias.

602

The most common chloramphenicol resistance mechanism uses which enzyme?

A. Acetyltransferase

B. Beta-lactamase

C. Methyltransferase

D. Phosphorylase

A. Acetyltransferase — plasmid-encoded chloramphenicol acetyltransferase inactivates the drug.

603

Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase prevents drug action by blocking what?

A. 30S binding

B. 50S binding

C. PBP binding

D. D-Ala binding

B. 50S binding — acetylated chloramphenicol cannot bind the 50S subunit.

604

A gram-negative rod develops reduced chloramphenicol permeability after porin alteration. What resistance mechanism is this?

A. Enzymatic acetylation

B. Target methylation

C. Decreased permeability

D. Ribosomal protection

C. Decreased permeability — porin changes can reduce chloramphenicol entry.

605

Macrolides inhibit protein synthesis by reversibly binding which structure?

A. 16S rRNA

B. 23S rRNA

C. 30S proteins

D. D-Ala-D-Ala

B. 23S rRNA — macrolides bind 23S rRNA in the 50S subunit.

606

Macrolides block which step in protein synthesis?

A. Aminoacyl-tRNA entry

B. Polypeptide elongation

C. 70S initiation formation

D. mRNA decoding

B. Polypeptide elongation — macrolides prevent elongation on the 50S subunit.

607

Which set contains macrolides?

A. Doxycycline, minocycline, tigecycline

B. Linezolid, tedizolid, chloramphenicol

C. Erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin

D. Gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin

C. Erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin — these are macrolides.

608

What is the most common macrolide resistance mechanism?

A. 23S rRNA methylation

B. 30S protein mutation

C. OmpF porin expansion

D. D-Ala-D-Lac replacement

A. 23S rRNA methylation — methylation prevents macrolide binding.

609

A macrolide-resistant isolate produces esterases that destroy the drug. What resistance category is this?

A. Target methylation

B. Enzymatic inactivation

C. Decreased uptake

D. Ribosomal protection

B. Enzymatic inactivation — esterases, phosphorylases, and glycosidases can inactivate macrolides.

610

Macrolides are commonly used for pulmonary infections caused by which organisms?

A. Mycoplasma, Legionella, Chlamydia

B. E coli, Klebsiella, Proteus

C. Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Prevotella

D. MRSA, VRE, Nocardia

A. Mycoplasma, Legionella, Chlamydia — macrolides cover atypical pulmonary pathogens.

611

Most gram-negative bacteria are resistant to which antibiotic class?

A. Macrolides

B. Carbapenems

C. Fluoroquinolones

D. Aminoglycosides

A. Macrolides — most gram-negative bacteria resist macrolides.

612

A patient with Campylobacter enteritis requires antibiotic therapy. Which class is used?

A. Macrolides

B. Monobactams

C. Glycopeptides

D. Polymyxins

A. Macrolides — macrolides can treat Campylobacter infections.

613

A penicillin-allergic patient needs treatment for a susceptible gram-positive infection. Which class is often used?

A. Macrolides

B. Aminoglycosides

C. Monobactams

D. Carbapenems

A. Macrolides — they are used for gram-positive infections in penicillin-allergic patients.

614

Which macrolides are used for Mycobacterium avium complex infections?

A. Erythromycin, telithromycin

B. Azithromycin, clarithromycin

C. Doxycycline, minocycline

D. Linezolid, chloramphenicol

B. Azithromycin, clarithromycin — both are used for MAC.

615

Telithromycin belongs to which antibiotic class?

A. Oxazolidinones

B. Ketolides

C. Glycopeptides

D. Lincosamides

B. Ketolides — telithromycin is the available ketolide.

616

Ketolides are semisynthetic derivatives of which drug?

A. Erythromycin

B. Minocycline

C. Kanamycin

D. Chloramphenicol

A. Erythromycin — ketolides are modified erythromycin derivatives.

617

Why were ketolides chemically modified from erythromycin?

A. Increase acid stability

B. Add anaerobe-only activity

C. Block beta-lactamases

D. Increase renal clearance

A. Increase acid stability — ketolide modification improves acid stability.

618

Telithromycin shares which mechanism with macrolides?

A. 50S protein synthesis blockade

B. 30S misreading induction

C. Peptidoglycan terminus binding

D. DNA gyrase inhibition

A. 50S protein synthesis blockade — telithromycin binds the 50S subunit.

619

Telithromycin use is currently restricted to which condition?

A. Community-acquired pneumonia

B. Pseudomonal bacteremia

C. Intra-abdominal abscess

D. VRE endocarditis

A. Community-acquired pneumonia — telithromycin is restricted to CAP treatment.

620

A patient with aspiration pneumonia is treated with a lincosamide that blocks protein elongation. Which drug is being used?

A. Linezolid

B. Clindamycin

C. Rifampin

D. Ciprofloxacin

B. Clindamycin — clindamycin is a lincosamide that inhibits protein elongation.

621

Clindamycin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding which ribosomal subunit?

A. 30S

B. 40S

C. 50S

D. 70S

C. 50S — clindamycin binds the 50S ribosomal subunit.

622

Clindamycin blocks protein elongation mainly by inhibiting which ribosomal activity?

A. Peptidyl transferase

B. DNA gyrase

C. RNA polymerase

D. Alanine racemase

A. Peptidyl transferase — clindamycin inhibits peptidyl transferase activity.

623

Clindamycin blocks elongation by preventing binding of which molecule?

A. Aminoacyl-tRNA

B. Formyl-methionine

C. DNA primer

D. Peptidoglycan precursor

A. Aminoacyl-tRNA — clindamycin prevents aminoacyl-tRNA binding.

624

Clindamycin shares its general ribosomal target with which antibiotic groups?

A. Quinolones and rifamycins

B. Macrolides and chloramphenicol

C. Aminoglycosides and tetracyclines

D. Carbapenems and monobactams

B. Macrolides and chloramphenicol — all act at the 50S subunit.

625

Clindamycin is a derivative of lincomycin, originally isolated from which organism?

A. S lincolnensis

B. S mediterranei

C. S orientalis

D. P chrysogenum

A. S lincolnensis — lincomycin came from Streptomyces lincolnensis.

626

Clindamycin has useful activity against which organisms?

A. Staphylococci and anaerobic gram-negatives

B. Enterococci and aerobic gram-negatives

C. Mycobacteria and Pseudomonas

D. Chlamydia and Rickettsia

A. Staphylococci and anaerobic gram-negatives — clindamycin covers these well.

627

Clindamycin is generally inactive against which organism group?

A. Staphylococci

B. Anaerobic gram-negatives

C. Aerobic gram-negatives

D. Gram-positive cocci

C. Aerobic gram-negatives — clindamycin generally lacks this activity.

628

A clindamycin-resistant isolate also becomes macrolide resistant. Which mechanism best explains this cross-resistance?

A. 23S rRNA methylation

B. DNA gyrase mutation

C. OmpF deletion

D. Beta-lactamase induction

A. 23S rRNA methylation — methylation prevents binding and causes macrolide cross-resistance.

629

Clindamycin resistance is often plasmid-mediated and inducible by which antibiotics?

A. Erythromycin or clindamycin

B. Rifampin or rifabutin

C. Ciprofloxacin or nalidixic acid

D. Vancomycin or daptomycin

A. Erythromycin or clindamycin — either can induce this resistance mechanism.

630

Quinupristin-dalfopristin belongs to which antibiotic class?

A. Ketolides

B. Streptogramins

C. Oxazolidinones

D. Rifamycins

B. Streptogramins — it combines group A and group B streptogramins.

631

Streptogramins are cyclic peptides produced by which organism group?

A. Streptomyces species

B. Micromonospora species

C. Penicillium species

D. Cephalosporium species

A. Streptomyces species — streptogramins are cyclic peptides from Streptomyces.

632

Why are quinupristin and dalfopristin given together?

A. They act synergistically

B. They block beta-lactamases

C. They prevent renal excretion

D. They improve porin entry

A. They act synergistically — together they strongly inhibit protein synthesis.

633

In quinupristin-dalfopristin, which component binds first and facilitates the other’s binding?

A. Quinupristin

B. Dalfopristin

C. Rifampin

D. Telithromycin

B. Dalfopristin — dalfopristin changes the 50S subunit to help quinupristin bind.

634

Dalfopristin binds the 50S subunit and directly prevents which process?

A. Peptide chain elongation

B. RNA synthesis initiation

C. DNA supercoiling

D. Cell wall cross-linking

A. Peptide chain elongation — dalfopristin blocks elongation.

635

Quinupristin causes which ribosomal effect?

A. Premature peptide release

B. Ribosome misreading

C. 70S initiation blockade

D. Peptidoglycan cleavage

A. Premature peptide release — quinupristin releases peptide chains early.

636

Quinupristin-dalfopristin is used primarily for which infection?

A. VRE E faecium

B. VRE E faecalis

C. Pseudomonas sepsis

D. Anaerobic abscess

A. VRE E faecium — it is mainly used for vancomycin-resistant E faecium.

637

Quinupristin-dalfopristin is active against E faecium but not which related organism?

A. E faecalis

B. S aureus

C. S pyogenes

D. S pneumoniae

A. E faecalis — quinupristin-dalfopristin does not cover E faecalis.

638

Quinolones inhibit bacterial replication by targeting which enzymes?

A. DNA gyrase and topo IV

B. RNA polymerase and helicase

C. PBPs and autolysins

D. Ribosomes and translocase

A. DNA gyrase and topo IV — quinolones inhibit topoisomerase II and IV.

639

Bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV are required for which processes?

A. Replication, recombination, repair

B. Translation, secretion, sporulation

C. Fermentation, respiration, motility

D. Conjugation, transduction, transformation

A. Replication, recombination, repair — quinolones disrupt these DNA processes.

640

In gram-negative bacteria, the primary quinolone target is which enzyme subunit?

DNA gyrase-A

641

In gram-positive bacteria, the primary quinolone target is usually which enzyme?

Topoisomerase IV

642

Which drug was the first quinolone used clinically for gram-negative UTIs?

A. Nalidixic acid

B. Ciprofloxacin

C. Levofloxacin

D. Moxifloxacin

A. Nalidixic acid — it was the original quinolone for gram-negative UTIs.

643

Why did nalidixic acid fall out of use?

A. Resistance developed rapidly

B. It caused aplastic anemia

C. It lacked urinary activity

D. It required IV dosing

A. Resistance developed rapidly — rapid resistance limited its usefulness.

644

Newer quinolones are called fluoroquinolones because they were formed by modifying what structure?

A. Two-ring quinolone nucleus

B. Beta-lactam ring

C. Aminocyclitol ring

D. Dihydrothiazine ring

A. Two-ring quinolone nucleus — fluorination/modification created fluoroquinolones.

645

Which set contains fluoroquinolones?

A. Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin

B. Rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine

C. Clindamycin, lincomycin, erythromycin

D. Linezolid, telithromycin, chloramphenicol

A. Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin — these are fluoroquinolones.

646

Fluoroquinolones have excellent activity against which broad groups?

A. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

B. Anaerobes and fungi

C. Mycobacteria and parasites

D. Viruses and atypicals

A. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

647

Resistance to fluoroquinolones can develop rapidly in which organisms?

A. Pseudomonas, MRSA, enterococci

B. Pneumococcus, Moraxella, Haemophilus

C. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Legionella

D. Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium

A. Pseudomonas, MRSA, enterococci — these can rapidly become resistant.

648

Newer extended-spectrum quinolones have significant activity against which bacteria?

A. Gram-positive bacteria

B. Anaerobic bacteria

C. Acid-fast bacteria

D. Spore-forming bacteria

A. Gram-positive bacteria — newer quinolones have improved gram-positive activity.

649

The most direct quinolone resistance mechanism involves mutations in which genes?

A. Gyrase and topo IV genes

B. 23S rRNA genes

C. PBP genes

D. Folate enzyme genes

A. Gyrase and topo IV genes — structural gene mutations reduce quinolone binding.

650

A quinolone-resistant isolate overexpresses a pump that removes drug. What mechanism is this?

A. Efflux pump overexpression

B. Target methylation

C. Enzymatic acetylation

D. Peptide terminus change

A. Efflux pump overexpression — efflux can actively eliminate quinolones.

651

A quinolone-resistant gram-negative rod has altered membrane permeability regulators. What effect does this cause?

A. Decreased drug uptake

B. Increased drug activation

C. Increased RNA binding

D. Decreased protein synthesis

A. Decreased drug uptake — permeability mutations reduce quinolone entry.

652

Rifampin inhibits bacterial transcription by binding which target?

A. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase

B. DNA gyrase-A

C. 50S ribosomal RNA

D. Peptidyl transferase

A. DNA-dependent RNA polymerase — rifampin blocks RNA synthesis initiation.

653

Rifampin blocks which step of RNA synthesis?

A. Initiation

B. Elongation

C. Termination

D. Splicing

A. Initiation — rifampin prevents initiation of transcription.

654

Rifampin is a semisynthetic derivative of rifamycin B from which organism?

A. S mediterranei

B. S lincolnensis

C. S orientalis

D. S griseus

A. S mediterranei — rifampin derives from rifamycin B from Streptomyces mediterranei.

655

Rifampin is bactericidal for which major pathogen?

A. M tuberculosis

B. M pneumoniae

C. C trachomatis

D. N gonorrhoeae

A. M tuberculosis — rifampin is bactericidal against tuberculosis.

656

Rifampin is very active against which bacterial group?

____ gram-____ cocci

Aerobic gram-positive cocci.

657

Why are gram-negative bacteria intrinsically resistant to rifampin?

A. Decreased drug uptake

B. Ribosomal methylation

C. Beta-lactamase hydrolysis

D. Peptide terminus change

A. Decreased drug uptake — gram-negatives poorly take up hydrophobic rifampin.

658

Rifampin resistance develops rapidly through mutation in which target?

A. RNA polymerase beta subunit

B. DNA gyrase A subunit

C. 23S rRNA methylase

D. Penicillin-binding protein

A. RNA polymerase beta subunit — chromosomal mutation causes rapid resistance.

659

Why is rifampin usually combined with other effective antibiotics?

A. Resistance develops rapidly

B. It lacks oral absorption

C. It only covers anaerobes

D. It is bacteriostatic only

A. Resistance develops rapidly — combination therapy prevents resistance emergence.

660

Rifabutin has similar activity to rifampin but is particularly active against which organism?

A. M avium

B. M tuberculosis

C. S aureus

D. E faecium

A. M avium — rifabutin is especially active against Mycobacterium avium.

661

A woman with malodorous vaginitis has motile protozoa on wet mount. Which antibiotic was originally introduced for this infection?

A. Dapsone

B. Metronidazole

C. Pyrazinamide

D. Rifabutin

B. Metronidazole — it was originally introduced for Trichomonas vaginitis.

662

A patient with brain abscess has Bacteroides fragilis isolated from culture. Which drug has useful activity?

A. Metronidazole

B. Azithromycin

C. Rifabutin

D. Dapsone

A. Metronidazole — it treats serious anaerobic infections including B fragilis.

663

A traveler develops amebiasis after drinking contaminated water. Which drug from this set is effective?

A. Sulfamethoxazole

B. Clofazimine

C. Metronidazole

D. Trimethoprim

C. Metronidazole — it is active against amebiasis and giardiasis.

664

metronidazole lacks significant ____ or facultative activity.

aerobic

665

Metronidazole becomes antimicrobial after reduction by which bacterial enzyme?

A. Beta-lactamase

B. Nitroreductase

C. Transpeptidase

D. Acetyltransferase

B. Nitroreductase — reduction creates cytotoxic DNA-damaging compounds.

666

Metronidazole’s activated products primarily damage which bacterial target?

A. Ribosomes

B. Cell wall

C. DNA

D. Folate

C. DNA — cytotoxic reduced products disrupt DNA.

667

A B fragilis isolate becomes metronidazole resistant by limiting intracellular drug levels. Which mechanism fits?

A. Decreased uptake

B. Altered PBPs

C. Methylated 23S rRNA

D. New porins

A. Decreased uptake — reduced uptake can cause metronidazole resistance.

668

A resistant anaerobe neutralizes metronidazole-derived toxic intermediates before DNA damage occurs. Which resistance mechanism is this?

A. Target methylation

B. Compound elimination

C. Effluxed folate

D. Ribosomal protection

B. Compound elimination — cytotoxic products are removed before DNA interaction.

669

Sulfonamides inhibit bacterial folate synthesis by competing with which molecule?

A. Tetrahydrofolate

B. Thymidine

C. P-aminobenzoic acid

D. Methionine

C. p-aminobenzoic acid

670

A sulfonamide blocks bacterial production of which essential vitamin pathway product?

A. Folic acid

B. Pyrazinoic acid

C. Mycolic acid

D. Peptidoglycan

A. Folic acid — sulfonamides prevent folic acid synthesis.

671

Why do sulfonamides selectively affect bacteria more than human cells?

A. Humans import folate

B. Humans lack ribosomes

C. Humans synthesize PABA

D. Humans use thymidine

A. Humans import folate — mammalian cells do not synthesize folic acid.

672

Trimethoprim directly inhibits which enzyme?

A. Dihydropteroate synthase

B. Nitroreductase

C. Dihydrofolate reductase

D. DNA gyrase

C. Dihydrofolate reductase — trimethoprim blocks DHFR.

673

Trimethoprim prevents conversion of dihydrofolate into what product?

A. PABA

B. Tetrahydrofolate

C. Sulfamethoxazole

D. Pyrazinoic acid

B. Tetrahydrofolate — DHFR normally generates tetrahydrofolate.

674

By blocking tetrahydrofolate formation, trimethoprim decreases synthesis of which molecules?

A. Thymidine and purines

B. Lipid A and capsule

C. Peptidoglycan and porins

D. Ergosterol and chitin

A. Thymidine and purines — it also affects methionine and glycine synthesis.

675

Which combination blocks two sequential steps in folate synthesis?

A. TMP-SMX

B. PZA-INH

C. Dapsone-PAS

D. Rifampin-rifabutin

A. TMP-SMX — trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole is synergistic.

676

In TMP-SMX, trimethoprim is paired with which sulfonamide?

A. Sulfadiazine

B. Sulfasalazine

C. Sulfamethoxazole

D. Sulfisoxazole

C. Sulfamethoxazole — TMP-SMX combines trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole.

677

Which antifolates are used to treat mycobacterial infections?

A. Dapsone and PAS

B. TMP and SMX

C. Clofazimine and PZA

D. Metronidazole and rifabutin

A. Dapsone and PAS — both are antifolates used for mycobacteria.

678

Sulfonamides are broadly active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including which organism?

A. Nocardia

B. Pseudomonas

C. Enterococcus

D. Bacteroides

A. Nocardia — sulfonamides cover Nocardia, Chlamydia, and some protozoa.

679

A patient has an infection with Chlamydia. Which drug class from this material has activity?

A. Sulfonamides

B. Glycopeptides

C. Carbapenems

D. Rifamycins

A. Sulfonamides — they have activity against Chlamydia.

680

TMP-SMX is the drug of choice for which infection category?

A. UTIs

B. Meningitis

C. Syphilis

D. Endocarditis

A. UTIs — TMP-SMX is DOC for acute and chronic UTIs.

681

An AIDS patient develops Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Which drug combination is effective?

A. TMP-SMX

B. PZA-rifabutin

C. Dapsone-PAS

D. Metronidazole-clindamycin

A. TMP-SMX — it is effective against Pneumocystis jirovecii.

682

A bacterial isolate develops trimethoprim resistance by changing drug binding at its target. What changed?

A. DHFR affinity

B. PABA production

C. Nitro group reduction

D. Mycolic acids

A. DHFR affinity — decreased DHFR affinity causes trimethoprim resistance.

683

Why is Pseudomonas resistant to trimethoprim?

A. Permeability barriers

B. Exogenous thymidine use

C. Altered peptidoglycan

D. Anaerobic metabolism

A. Permeability barriers — Pseudomonas resists TMP through poor permeability.

684

Why are enterococci intrinsically resistant to trimethoprim?

A. Exogenous thymidine use

B. Reduced nitroreductase

C. Acidic phagolysosomes

D. DNA binding loss

A. Exogenous thymidine use — enterococci bypass folate blockade.

685

A patient with leprosy is started on a first-line lipophilic antibiotic that binds mycobacterial DNA. Which drug is this?

A. Pyrazinamide

B. Clofazimine

C. Metronidazole

D. Sulfamethoxazole

B. Clofazimine — it is first-line for M leprae and binds mycobacterial DNA.

686

Clofazimine is highly active against which organism?

A. M tuberculosis

B. B fragilis

C. Nocardia asteroides

D. C trachomatis

A. M tuberculosis — clofazimine is highly active against tuberculosis.

687

Clofazimine may be used secondarily for infections caused by which organisms?

A. Other mycobacteria

B. Aerobic streptococci

C. Anaerobic gram-negatives

D. Facultative Enterobacteriaceae

A. Other mycobacteria — it is recommended as a secondary agent for other mycobacterial infections.

688

Pyrazinamide is most active against M tuberculosis in which environment?

A. Low pH

B. High oxygen

C. Neutral bile

D. Alkaline urine

A. Low pH — PZA works in acidic sites such as phagolysosomes.

689

Pyrazinamide is especially useful in which intracellular compartment?

A. Phagolysosome

B. Ribosome

C. Outer membrane

D. Periplasm

A. Phagolysosome — acidic phagolysosomes favor PZA activity.

690

What is the active form of pyrazinamide?

A. Pyrazinoic acid

B. PABA

C. Tetrahydrofolate

D. Sulfanilamide

A. Pyrazinoic acid — PZA is converted into pyrazinoic acid.

691

Pyrazinamide is converted to pyrazinoic acid by hydrolysis where?

A. Liver

B. Kidney

C. Bone marrow

D. Lung

A. Liver — PZA is hydrolyzed in the liver.