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Microbio Module 2

front 1

What 2 repeating disaccharide units constitute peptidoglycan?

back 1

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

front 2

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

____-____

back 2

UDP-NAM

front 3

What is the purpose of attaching NAM to UDP?

To activate _____ for later _____ _____ synthesis

back 3

NAM

cell wall

front 4

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

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

back 4

C. Bactoprenol

front 5

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

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

back 5

D. Pyrophosphate linkage

front 6

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

_____

back 6

UMP

front 7

After NAM attaches to bactoprenol, what happens next?

The unit is moved across the ____

back 7

The unit is moved across the membrane

front 8

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

_____

back 8

Flippase

front 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

back 9

C. Outside the plasma membrane

front 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

back 10

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

front 11

Transpeptidation in peptidoglycan synthesis mainly refers to what process?

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

back 11

B. Peptide cross-linking

front 12

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

_____

back 12

NAM

front 13

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

_____

back 13

3rd

front 14

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

back 14

Lysine

front 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

back 15

C. 4th-position D-alanine

front 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

back 16

B. It is released

front 17

Which enzyme performs the transpeptidation reaction?

back 17

Transpeptidase

front 18

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

back 18

Transpeptidases

front 19

Beta-lactam antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth mainly by blocking:

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

back 19

C. Peptidoglycan cross-linking

front 20

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

back 20

bactoprenol

front 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

back 21

B. Escherichia coli O157:H7

front 22

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

____ ____

back 22

Teichoic acid

front 23

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

_______ (____ )

back 23

Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)

front 24

A light microscope has a resolution of ____ μm

back 24

0.2 μm

front 25

The diameter of a red blood cell is ____ μm

back 25

7

front 26

Where does ATP production occur in prokaryotes?

____

back 26

cytoplasm

front 27

What bacteria cannot be classified by Gram staining?

____

____

back 27

Mycobacteria

Mycoplasma

front 28

Where are bacterial chromosomes present in the cell?

____

back 28

nucleoid

front 29

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

back 29

30S, 50S

70S

front 30

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

back 30

40S, 60S

80S

front 31

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

Eukaryotes- _____ _____
Prokaryotes- _____ _____

back 31

Eukaryotes- contain sterols
Prokaryotes- no sterols

front 32

Mycoplasma contains no _____

back 32

peptidoglycan

front 33

Peptidoglycan can be degraded by _____

back 33

lysozyme

front 34

lysozyme is found in human _____ and _____.

lysozyme cleaves _____ backbone of peptidoglycan

back 34

tears and mucus

glycan

front 35

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

back 35

β-1,4 glycosidic

front 36

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

back 36

osmotic pressure

front 37

Disruption of the _____ _____ can provide entry of lysozyme to produce _____, which, like protoplasts, are osmotically sensitive.

back 37

outer membrane

spheroplasts

front 38

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

back 38

protoplast

lyses

front 39

What is the periplasmic space in gram negative baceteria?

space between the:
1. _____ membrane
2. _____ membrane

back 39

1. Cytoplasmic membrane
2. Outer membrane

front 40

What is the function of the periplasmic space?

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

back 40

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

front 41

What genus causes rabbit/deer fever, AKA tularemia?

_____

back 41

Francisella

front 42

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

back 42

gram-positive

cytoplasmic membrane

front 43

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

back 43

peptidoglycan

front 44

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

back 44

intravascular

endotoxin

front 45

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

_____

back 45

porin

front 46

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

back 46

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

front 47

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

back 47

lysozyme

spheroplasts

front 48

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

back 48

polysaccharides

front 49

Bacillus anthracis produces a _____ capsule

back 49

polypeptide

front 50

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

back 50

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

front 51

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

back 51

biofilm

front 52

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

back 52

Streptococcus mutans

dextran

levan

front 53

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

____ of ____ spinning

back 53

direction of flagellar spinning

front 54

What is the role of fimbriae?

promote adherence of _____ to _____ _____

back 54

bacteria

cell surface

front 55

What are the 3 constituents of LPS?

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

back 55

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

front 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

back 56

septum

180

90

front 57

The outer coat of a spore contains the protein _____

back 57

keratin

front 58

How do spores form?

depletion of specific ______ (______) from the ______ medium

back 58

depletion of specific nutrients (alanine) from the growth medium

front 59

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

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

back 59

B. Mycolic acid

front 60

In mycobacteria, peptidoglycan is covalently attached to which polymer?

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

back 60

A. Arabinogalactan

front 61

Bacitracin inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis by blocking recycling of:

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

back 61

C. Phosphobactoprenol

front 62

Penicillin acts as a structural analog of which peptidoglycan component?

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

back 62

B. D-Ala-D-Ala

front 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

back 63

A. Penicillin resembles D-Ala-D-Ala

front 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

back 64

B. Transpeptidase is inactivated

front 65

The core region of LPS contains which phosphorylated sugar?

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

back 65

C. 2-keto-3-deoxy-octanoate

front 66

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

They lack the ___-antigen portion of ___

back 66

They lack the O-antigen portion of LPS

front 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

back 67

B. Complement protection

front 68

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

______ of the outer ______-like protein coat

back 68

Disruption of the outer keratin-like protein coat

front 69

______ stress or ______ changes can trigger spore germination.

back 69

Mechanical

pH

front 70

About how long does spore germination take?

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

back 70

C. 90 minutes

front 71

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

____ ____

back 71

Cell wall

front 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

back 72

B. Peptidoglycan

front 73

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

A. Lipopolysaccharide B. Lipoteichoic acid C. Outer membrane D. Sterols

back 73

B. Lipoteichoic acid

front 74

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

A. Mycoplasma

B. Mycobacteria

C. Bacillus

D. Neisseria

back 74

A. Mycoplasma

front 75

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

A. Mycolic acids

B. Lipopolysaccharide

C. Sterols

D. Teichoic acids

back 75

C. Sterols

front 76

Which bacteria have cell walls containing mycolic acid?

A. Mycobacteria

B. Mycoplasma

C. Neisseria

D. Streptococcus

back 76

A. Mycobacteria

front 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

back 77

C. Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast stain

front 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

back 78

B. Their cell walls contain mycolic acid

front 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

back 79

D. Tuberculosis and leprosy

front 80

Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation occur on which bacterial structure?

back 80

Cell membrane

front 81

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

______

back 81

Periplasm

front 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

back 82

C. β-lactam antibiotic therapy

front 83

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

A. Lipopolysaccharide

B. Sterol

C. Teichoic acid

D. Peptidoglycan

back 83

A. Lipopolysaccharide

front 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

back 84

C. Outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria

front 85

Which part of lipopolysaccharide is a major antibody target?

A. O antigen

B. Lipid A

C. Core polysaccharide

D. Peptidoglycan

back 85

A. O antigen

front 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

back 86

B. Fc receptors

front 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

back 87

B. Complement binding

front 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

back 88

A. Encapsulated bacterial infections

front 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

back 89

D. Encapsulated bacteria

front 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

back 90

C. Loss of splenic phagocytes

front 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

back 91

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

front 92

Bacterial capsular polysaccharides are the basis for many what?

A. Gram stains B. Acid-fast stains C. Antibiotic resistance genes D. Vaccines

back 92

D. Vaccines

front 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

back 93

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

front 94

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

______

back 94

Glycocalyx

front 95

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

______

back 95

Capsule

front 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

back 96

D. UTIs and pyelonephritis

front 97

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

back 97

Plasmids

front 98

Which bacterial DNA element can carry genes for antibiotic resistance or toxins?

A. Plasmid

B. Flagellum

C. Capsule

D. Lipopolysaccharide

back 98

A. Plasmid

front 99

Why are plasmids clinically important?

They can transfer _____ _____ between bacteria

back 99

They can transfer survival genes between bacteria

front 100

Some bacteria can enter a dormant survival state called what?

back 100

Spore

front 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

back 101

D. They can survive long periods in extreme conditions

front 102

Which conditions can bacterial _____ survive?

Lack of nutrients, dehydration, heat, and chemicals

back 102

spores

front 103

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

A. Mycolic acid

B. Lipopolysaccharide

C. Peptidoglycan

D. Sterols

back 103

C. Peptidoglycan

front 104

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

back 104

DNA, ribosomes, glycolytic

front 105

Which genera are known as spore-forming bacteria?

____ and ____

back 105

Bacillus and Clostridium

front 106

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

gram-____ bacteria

back 106

Gram-positive bacteria

front 107

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

_____ bound to dipicolinic acid

back 107

Ca2+ bound to dipicolinic acid

front 108

Which bacteria have branched filamentous appearances?

A. Neisseria and Streptococcus pneumoniae

B. Bacillus and Clostridium

C. Nocardia and Actinomyces

D. Staphylococcus and E. coli

back 108

C. Nocardia and Actinomyces

front 109

Which bacteria are classically diplococci?

A. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria

B. Nocardia and Actinomyces

C. Bacillus and Clostridium

D. E. coli and Salmonella

back 109

A. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria

front 110

Which bacterium classically forms chains?

A. Staphylococcus aureus

B. Neisseria meningitidis

C. Bacillus anthracis

D. Streptococcus pyogenes

back 110

D. Streptococcus pyogenes

front 111

A spherical bacterium is called what?

A. Bacillus B. Coccus C. Spirillum D. Spore

back 111

B. Coccus

front 112

A rod-shaped bacterium is called what?

A. Coccus B. Spirillum C. Bacillus D. Diplococcus

back 112

C. Bacillus

front 113

A snakelike bacterium is called what?

A. Spirillum B. Coccus C. Bacillus D. Spore

back 113

A. Spirillum

front 114

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

_____

back 114

Endotoxin

front 115

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

_____

back 115

Phospholipids

front 116

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

______ and ______

back 116

Mg2+ and Ca2+

front 117

Which interaction helps stabilize the gram-negative outer membrane?

______ interactions between ______ and ______

back 117

Hydrophobic interactions between LPS and proteins

front 118

During Gram staining, which stain is applied first?

_____ _____

back 118

Crystal violet

front 119

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

_____

back 119

Iodine

front 120

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

______-based decolorizer and ______

back 120

Acetone-based decolorizer and water

front 121

Serotyping bacteria involves distinguishing bacteria using antibodies against what?

A. Ribosomal subunits

B. Characteristic antigens

C. Mitochondrial proteins

D. Host cytokines

back 121

B. Characteristic antigens

front 122

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

back 122

A. To stain decolorized cells red

front 123

Which process uses antibodies to detect characteristic bacterial antigens?

A. Gram staining

B. Acid-fast staining

C. Serotyping

D. Spore staining

back 123

C. Serotyping

front 124

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

back 124

D. Archaea and mycoplasms

front 125

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

back 125

B. Water-soluble anionic polymers of polyol phosphates

front 126

Teichoic acids are covalently linked to which bacterial structure?

_____

back 126

Peptidoglycan

front 127

Why are teichoic acids important in gram-positive bacteria?

They are essential to _____ viability

back 127

They are essential to cell viability

front 128

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

A. O antigen

B. Lipoteichoic acid

C. Sterol

D. Plasmid

back 128

B. Lipoteichoic acid

front 129

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

_____

back 129

Plasmid

front 130

Which structure allows bacteria to survive extreme conditions with little to no metabolic activity?

_____

back 130

Spore

front 131

Do gram-negative bacterial cell walls contain teichoic or lipoteichoic acids? A. Yes, both are present B. Only teichoic acid is present C. Only lipoteichoic acid is present D. No, neither is present

back 131

D. No, neither is present

front 132

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

back 132

D. Permeable barrier

front 133

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

A. Teichoic acid

B. Lipopolysaccharide

C. Sterols

D. Mycolic acid

back 133

B. Lipopolysaccharide

front 134

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

back 134

A. Innate immune response

front 135

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

back 135

C. Outer leaflet of outer membrane

front 136

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

back 136

D. Hydrophilic molecules

front 137

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

back 137

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

front 138

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

back 138

A. An external structure used for movement

front 139

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

back 139

C. Protection

front 140

Which two polysaccharide components make up bacterial peptidoglycan?

A. Glucose and fructose

B. Ribose and deoxyribose

C. N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid

D. Cellulose and glycogen

back 140

C. N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid

front 141

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

back 141

D. Penicillins and β-lactam antibiotics

front 142

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

Peptidoglycan ______

back 142

Peptidoglycan synthesis

front 143

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

back 143

Gram-positive

front 144

A bacterial spore contains how many peptidoglycan layers?

back 144

Two

front 145

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

back 145

C. Inner membrane

front 146

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

A. Sodium B. Magnesium C. Potassium D. Calcium

back 146

D. Calcium

front 147

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

A. Peptidoglycan

B. Dipicolinic acid

C. Lipopolysaccharide

D. Porin

back 147

B. Dipicolinic acid

front 148

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

back 148

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

front 149

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

back 149

Iron

siderophores

iron

front 150

What organism causes gas gangrene?

____ ____

back 150

Clostridium Perfringes

front 151

What are obligate anaerobes?

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

back 151

cannot

O2

Clostridium perfringens

front 152

What are obligate aerobes?

organisms that require ____ for metabolism and growth

back 152

O2

front 153

What are facultative anaerobes?

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

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

back 153

May use O2 as a terminal electron acceptor to generate ATP

Can also use fermentation and other O2-independent pathways

front 154

Aerobic bacteria produce the following 2 enzymes:

1. _____ _____

2. _____

back 154

1. Superoxide dismutase

2. Catalase

front 155

What are autotrophs?

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

back 155

bacteria

inorganic

front 156

What are heterotrophs?

_____ and _____ cells that require _____ carbon sources

back 156

bacteria and animal cells that require organic carbon sources

front 157

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

back 157

Lactobacillus

front 158

______: small molecules are assembled into large ones using energy

back 158

Anabolism

front 159

______: substrate breakdown and conversion into usable energy

back 159

Catabolism

front 160

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

back 160

Acidification

lactate

front 161

Electrochemical energy is stored by the _____ of _____ to _____

back 161

reduction

NAD

NADH

front 162

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

back 162

ATP synthase

front 163

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?

back 163

Aeorobic respiration

Fermentation

front 164

Fermentation results in the conversion of _____ into _____ and _____

back 164

yeast

ethanol

CO2

front 165

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

back 165

pyruvic

lactic

front 166

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

____ NADH

____ FADH2

____ CO2

____ GTP

back 166

3 NADH

1 FADH2

2 CO2

1 GTP

front 167

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

back 167

oxaloacetate

citrate

front 168

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

back 168

TCA cycle

front 169

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

back 169

2

38

front 170

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

back 170

a-ketoglutarate

oxaloacetate

front 171

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

back 171

plasma membrane

NADH, FADH2

ATP synthase

front 172

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

1. Provides _____ _____ precursors

2. Provides a source of _____

back 172

nucleic acid

NADPH

front 173

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

back 173

short-chain fatty acids

fermentation

front 174

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

back 174

rifampin

tuberculosis

front 175

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

back 175

30s

tRNA, f-met, AUG

front 176

Increased cAMP levels indicate ____ ____ levels

back 176

low glucose

front 177

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

back 177

anticodon

codon

front 178

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 _____ _____.

back 178

AHL

cyclic peptide

front 179

What class of drugs are 30s ribosomal subunit inhibitors?

1. _____ (_____ and _____)

2. _____

back 179

1. Aminoglycosides (streptomycin and gentamicin)

2. Tetracyclines

front 180

What class of drugs are 50s ribosomal subunit inhibitors?

1. _____

2. _____ (_____)

3. _____ (_____)

4. _____

back 180

1. Chloramphenicol

2. Lincosamide (clindamycin)

3. Macrolides (erythromycin)

4. Linezolid

front 181

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

back 181

fmet

front 182

What is the role of a repressor protein?

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

back 182

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

front 183

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

repressor protein binds to the _____ sequence

back 183

operator

front 184

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 = _____ _____

back 184

1. CAMP binds to catabolite activator protein (CAP)

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

front 185

When are Salmonella pathogenicity islands turned on?

1. High _____

2. Low _____

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

back 185

1. High osmolarity

2. Low O2

front 186

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

low ____ levels

back 186

iron

front 187

for lac operon

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

back 187

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

front 188

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

back 188

leading, continously

RNA primers, Okazaki

front 189

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

back 189

5' to 3'

template

DNA ligase

front 190

What is the role of DNA topoisomerase?

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

back 190

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

front 191

What class of drugs targets topoisomerases in prokaryotes

_____ antibiotics

back 191

fluoroquinolone

front 192

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

back 192

alarmones

front 193

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.

back 193

dividing

lag phase

front 194

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

back 194

log exponential

front 195

1. What occurs in a transition base change?

___ to ___ or ___ to ___

2. What occurs in a transversion base change?

___ to ___ or ___ to ___

back 195

purine to purine or pyrimidine to pyrimidine

purine to pyrimidine or pyrimidine to purine

front 196

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

_____- β galactosidase

_____- permease

_____- acetylase

back 196

LacZ

LacY

LacA

front 197

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

back 197

C. Regions 3 and 4

front 198

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

back 198

B. Premature termination of transcription

front 199

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

back 199

A. Regions 2 and 3

front 200

What occurs in a silent mutation?

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

back 200

DNA

same

front 201

What occurs in a missense mutation?

1. Results in a _____ amino acid

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

back 201

new

conserved, new

front 202

What occurs in a nonsense mutation?

results in an _____ _____ _____

back 202

early stop codon

front 203

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 _____.

back 203

frameshift

peptide, protein

front 204

What occurs in a Null mutation?

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

2. Completely destroys _____ function

back 204

chromosome

gene

front 205

Heat can induce mutations by causing ____ of ____

back 205

deamination

nucleotides

front 206

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

back 206

nitrous acid

front 207

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 ____

back 207

guanine

adenine

front 208

5-Bromouracil is classified as which type of mutagen?

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

back 208

C. Nucleotide-base analog

front 209

Ethidium bromide causes mutations primarily by which mechanism?

_____ between stacked DNA bases

back 209

Inserts

front 210

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

back 210

glycoslyase

endonuclease

Lyase

Polymerase, ligase

front 211

What occurs in recombinational/postreplication repair?

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

back 211

same or similar

front 212

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

back 212

bacteriophages

foreign

front 213

Borrelia burgdorferi possess _____ genomes and _____ .

causative agent of _____ disease

back 213

linear, plasmids

Lyme

front 214

What are bacteriophages?

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

back 214

DNA or RNA

membrane, protein

front 215

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

back 215

Lytic

Lysogenic

front 216

The E. coli bacteriophage ______ remains in a ______ state as long as the repressor protein is synthesized and prevents the phage genome from being excised to replicate and exit the cell

back 216

lambda

lysogenic

front 217

What are transposons?

a ____ sequence that can change its ____ within a genome

back 217

DNA

position

front 218

What occurs in transformation?

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

back 218

DNA

incorporate

front 219

The hepatitis B surface antigen is produced by ____ ____

back 219

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

front 220

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

back 220

B. Sex pilus

front 221

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

back 221

D. A single strand of F plasmid DNA

front 222

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

back 222

A. No, only plasmid DNA is transferred

front 223

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

back 223

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

front 224

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

back 224

B. Sex pilus formation and conjugation

front 225

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

back 225

D. HFr cell

front 226

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

back 226

A. Integrated into the bacterial chromosome

front 227

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

back 227

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

front 228

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

back 228

B. The entire F factor usually is not completely transferred

front 229

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⁻

back 229

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

front 230

What occurs in generalized transduction?

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

back 230

DNA

packaging

front 231

What occurs in specialized transduction?

phages transfer _____ genes (not _____)

back 231

particular

random

front 232

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

back 232

vancomycin

Enterococcus faecalis

front 233

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

back 233

Restriction enzymes

front 234

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

back 234

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

front 235

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

A. Plasmid

B. Transposon

C. Operon

D. Bacteriophage

back 235

D. Bacteriophage — also called a phage.

front 236

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

A. Transduction

B. Transformation

C. Conjugation

D. Replication

back 236

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

front 237

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

back 237

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

front 238

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

A. Stratum corneum

B. Stratum basale

C. Dermis

D. Hypodermis

back 238

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

front 239

Which molecules help maintain the structure of the bacterial chromosome?

A. Peptidoglycans

B. Sterols

C. Polyamines

D. Porins

back 239

C. Polyamines — examples include spermine and spermidine.

front 240

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

A. Cell wall

B. Nuclear membrane

C. Ribosome

D. Plasma membrane

back 240

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

front 241

Bacterial chromosomal replication begins at which specific sequence?

back 241

oriC — the origin of chromosomal replication.

front 242

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

back 242

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

front 243

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

back 243

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

front 244

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

back 244

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

front 245

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

A. Type I

B. Type II

C. Type III

D. Type IV

back 245

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

front 246

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

A. Fermentation

B. Transduction

C. Conjugation

D. Recombination

back 246

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

front 247

What is the universal intermediate of cell metabolism?

A. Lactate

B. Acetyl-CoA

C. Pyruvic acid

D. Citrate

back 247

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

front 248

Fermentation occurs under which condition?

A. Only with oxygen

B. Only in eukaryotes

C. Only during replication

D. Only without oxygen

back 248

D. Only without oxygen

front 249

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

back 249

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

front 250

What is transcription?

A. mRNA to protein

B. Protein to DNA

C. DNA to mRNA

D. DNA to protein

back 250

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

front 251

What is translation?

A. DNA to mRNA

B. mRNA to protein

C. Protein to DNA

D. RNA to DNA

back 251

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

front 252

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

back 252

Beginning

front 253

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

A. Repressor protein

B. Ribosome

C. Helicase

D. Primase

back 253

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

front 254

Which enzyme unwinds bacterial DNA at the origin during replication?

back 254

Helicase

front 255

Which enzyme synthesizes primers to start bacterial DNA replication?

back 255

Primase

front 256

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

back 256

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

front 257

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

back 257

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

front 258

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

A. Capsule

B. Membrane

C. Flagellum

D. Ribosome

back 258

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

front 259

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

back 259

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

front 260

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

back 260

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

front 261

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

back 261

B. Ratio of plasmid copies to chromosome copies.

front 262

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

A. Bacteriophage

B. Promoter

C. Operator

D. Transposon

back 262

D. Transposon — transposons are mobile DNA elements.

front 263

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

back 263

A. Transformation, conjugation, and transduction.

front 264

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

_____

back 264

Conjugation

front 265

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

back 265

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

front 266

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

back 266

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

front 267

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.

back 267

Endotoxin — endotoxin is part of the gram-negative bacterial outer membrane.

front 268

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?

______

back 268

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

front 269

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

back 269

Endotoxin — endotoxin is composed of LPS.

front 270

Which part of LPS is mainly responsible for endotoxin toxicity?

____ ____

back 270

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

front 271

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

____ ____

back 271

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

front 272

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

_____

back 272

Exotoxin — many exotoxins are A-B toxins.

front 273

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

A. A component

B. B component

back 273

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

front 274

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

A. A component

B. B component

back 274

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

front 275

Endotoxin binds CD14 on macrophages. Which mediators are released?

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

back 275

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

front 276

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

____ and ____

back 276

C3a and C5a — these promote inflammation and neutrophil chemotaxis.

front 277

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

back 277

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

front 278

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

_____

back 278

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

front 279

Which mobile genetic elements commonly encode exotoxin genes?

A. Ribosomes and operons

B. Capsules and fimbriae

C. Endospores and porins

D. Plasmids and bacteriophages

back 279

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

front 280

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?

______

back 280

Superantigen

front 281

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

back 281

Not processed normally and instead bind MHC II and TCR directly

front 282

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

back 282

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

front 283

Which two organisms produce superantigens that can cause shock?

______ ______ and ______ ______

back 283

Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes

front 284

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

back 284

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

front 285

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

______ ______ and ______ ______ heat-stable toxin

back 285

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

front 286

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

back 286

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

front 287

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

_____ _____

back 287

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

front 288

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

_____ _____ and _____ _____

back 288

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

front 289

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

back 289

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

front 290

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

A. Operons

B. Ribosomes

C. Pathogenicity islands

D. Porins

back 290

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

front 291

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

back 291

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

front 292

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

back 292

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

front 293

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

back 293

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

front 294

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

back 294

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

front 295

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

back 295

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

front 296

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

_______

back 296

Mycobacteria — impaired cell-mediated immunity increases risk.

front 297

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

back 297

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

front 298

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

back 298

Skin — they can enter through skin breaks.

front 299

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

back 299

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

front 300

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

back 300

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

front 301

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

back 301

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

front 302

Many bacterial adhesins are located on which surface structures?

A. Fimbriae

B. Ribosomes

C. Nucleoids

D. Inclusion bodies

back 302

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

front 303

Fimbrial adhesins commonly bind tightly to which host molecules?

A. Cytokines

B. Lectins

C. Antibodies

D. Complement proteins

back 303

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

front 304

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

_____

_____ _____

_____ _____

back 304

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

front 305

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

_____

back 305

Flagella — flagella provide motility through mucus.

front 306

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

______

back 306

Proteases — they break down mucus proteins.

front 307

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

____ oxygen

back 307

Low oxygen — anaerobic conditions favor C perfringens gas gangrene.

front 308

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

back 308

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

front 309

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

back 309

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

front 310

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

back 310

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

front 311

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

______ toxin

back 311

Cytolytic toxin — cytolytic toxins damage membranes.

front 312

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

back 312

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

front 313

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

back 313

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

front 314

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

Endotoxin or Exotoxin?

back 314

Exotoxin

front 315

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

Impaired _____ _____ clearance

back 315

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

front 316

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

_____

back 316

Biofilm — biofilms protect bacteria on catheters and implanted devices.

front 317

Which bacteria produce endotoxin?

A. Gram-positive bacteria only

B. Gram-negative bacteria only

C. Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

D. Anaerobes only

back 317

B. Gram-negative bacteria only — endotoxin refers to lipid A in LPS/LOS.

front 318

High concentrations of endotoxin can activate which complement pathway?

A. Classical pathway

B. Lectin pathway

C. Alternative pathway

D. Terminal-only pathway

back 318

C. Alternative pathway — endotoxin can activate alternative complement.

front 319

What is a typical bacterial capsule made of?

_____

back 319

Polysaccharide — most bacterial capsules are polysaccharide-based.

front 320

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

A. Bacterial replication

B. Translation

C. Phagocytosis

D. Fermentation

back 320

C. Phagocytosis — capsules help bacteria avoid engulfment.

front 321

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

back 321

A. Antigenic variation, antibody inactivation, intracellular growth.

front 322

A bacterium repeatedly changes its surface antigens so previously made antibodies no longer bind well. Which immune evasion strategy is this?

A. Antigenic variation

B. Complement activation

C. Opsonization

D. Chemotaxis

back 322

A. Antigenic variation — changing surface antigens helps evade existing antibodies.

front 323

A bacterium produces enzymes that destroy or inactivate host antibodies. Which immune response is it evading?

A. Antibody-mediated immunity

B. Complement-independent killing

C. T-cell receptor rearrangement

D. Macrophage cytokine release

back 323

A. Antibody-mediated immunity — antibody inactivation prevents effective humoral defense.

front 324

Why does intracellular bacterial growth help evade antibodies?

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

back 324

extracellularly

hidden

front 325

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

back 325

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

front 326

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

back 326

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

front 327

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

back 327

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

front 328

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

back 328

A. Producing enzymes that lyse phagocytes.

front 329

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

back 329

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

front 330

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

back 330

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

front 331

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

back 331

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

front 332

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

back 332

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

front 333

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

back 333

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

front 334

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

back 334

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

front 335

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

Acidic phagocytic vesicle inside a ______

back 335

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

front 336

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

____ ____

back 336

Clostridium difficile — C difficile causes pseudomembranous colitis.

front 337

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

_____

back 337

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

front 338

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

A. GM1 ganglioside

B. P blood group glycolipid

C. D-mannose

D. Fibronectin

back 338

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

front 339

E coli colonization factor antigen fimbriae bind which host receptor?

A. Collagen

B. Laminin

C. D-mannose

D. GM1 ganglioside

back 339

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

front 340

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

back 340

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

front 341

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

back 341

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

front 342

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

back 342

Salmonella

Yersinia

M cells

front 343

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

back 343

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

front 344

How does Salmonella promote invasion through the GI tract?

_____ tight junctions of _____ cells

back 344

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

front 345

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

____ ____

____ ____

back 345

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

front 346

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

A. IgA protease

B. Superantigen

C. Adenylate cyclase activator

D. Phospholipase C

back 346

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

front 347

Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin breaks down which membrane component?

A. Peptidoglycan

B. Hyaluronic acid

C. Sphingomyelin

D. D-mannose

back 347

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

front 348

Cholera toxin increases cAMP by doing which of the following?

Permanently activating _____

back 348

Permanently activating Gs

front 349

Pertussis toxin increases cAMP by doing which of the following?

inactivating _____

back 349

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

front 350

A toxin cross-links the beta region of the T-cell receptor to MHC II on an APC. What type of toxin is this?

A. Endotoxin

B. Cytolysin

C. Superantigen

D. IgA protease

back 350

C. Superantigen — it causes massive nonspecific T-cell activation.

front 351

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

back 351

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

front 352

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes disease by inactivating which target?

____ ____ ____

back 352

Elongation factor 2

front 353

Tetanospasmin from Clostridium tetani causes disease by which mechanism?

Cleaving _____ proteins to block _____ neurotransmitter release

back 353

Cleaving SNARE proteins to block inhibitory neurotransmitter release

front 354

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

back 354

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

front 355

The Streptococcus pyogenes capsule is made of which substance?

A. Hyaluronic acid

B. Polyribosylribitol phosphate

C. Lipid A

D. Sphingomyelin

back 355

A. Hyaluronic acid — it mimics human connective tissue.

front 356

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

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

back 356

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

front 357

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

_____ _____

back 357

Neisseria gonorrhoeae — it changes surface antigens and degrades IgA.

front 358

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

_____ region

back 358

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

front 359

Which organism expresses Protein A?

_____ _____

back 359

Staphylococcus aureus

front 360

Which Streptococcus pyogenes toxin causes cell membrane lysis?

A. Tetanospasmin

B. Diphtheria toxin

C. Streptolysin O

D. Cholera toxin

back 360

C. Streptolysin O — it lyses host cell membranes.

front 361

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

back 361

A. Prevents phagocytosis — M protein is antiphagocytic.

front 362

Mycobacterium species survive inside macrophages by blocking which process?

A. IgA secretion

B. Actin polymerization

C. D-mannose binding

D. Phagosome-lysosome fusion

back 362

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

front 363

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

back 363

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

front 364

Which test result best distinguishes Staphylococcus aureus from Staphylococcus epidermidis?

S aureus is _____ _____

back 364

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

front 365

What does coagulase do?

Converts _____ into fibrin to form a _____ barrier

back 365

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

front 366

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

back 366

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

front 367

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

back 367

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

front 368

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

back 368

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

front 369

Listeria and Shigella use actin polymerization mainly for which purpose?

______ within cells and spread to neighboring cells

back 369

movement

front 370

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

back 370

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

front 371

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

back 371

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

front 372

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

back 372

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

front 373

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

A. 1 mL

B. 5 mL

C. 10 mL

D. 20 mL

back 373

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

front 374

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

back 374

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

front 375

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

back 375

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

front 376

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

back 376

B. 1-2 days

front 377

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

back 377

C. 5-7 days

front 378

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

back 378

meningitis

centrifugation

Gram

front 379

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

back 379

B. Sediment

front 380

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

back 380

B. 1-5 mL

front 381

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

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

back 381

sparse

detection

front 382

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

_____ _____ _____

back 382

Group A Streptococcus

front 383

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

back 383

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

front 384

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

____ bacteria can ____ growth of group A streptococci

back 384

Saliva

inhibit

front 385

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.

back 385

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

front 386

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

_____ for _____ -specific antigen

back 386

Immunoassay for group-specific antigen

front 387

Which set contains the most common bacterial causes of sinusitis?

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

back 387

Haemophilus influenzae

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Moraxella catarrhalis

Staphylococcus aureus

front 388

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

back 388

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

front 389

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

back 389

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

front 390

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

back 390

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

front 391

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

back 391

diarrhea

colitis.

front 392

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

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

back 392

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

front 393

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

back 393

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

front 394

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

back 394

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

front 395

Which factor is required for aminoglycosides to enter bacterial cells?

A. Carbon dioxide

B. Oxygen

C. Capsule

D. IgA

back 395

B. Oxygen — aminoglycoside uptake is oxygen-dependent.

front 396

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

back 396

B. Anaerobes lack oxygen-dependent drug uptake

front 397

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

back 397

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

front 398

What is one limitation of broth dilution tests?

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

back 398

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

front 399

Which organisms are alpha-hemolytic?

_____ _____

_____ _____

back 399

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Viridans streptococci

front 400

Which set contains beta-hemolytic organisms?

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

_____ _____

back 400

Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus agalactiae

Staphylococcus aureus

Listeria monocytogenes

front 401

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

______

back 401

Campylobacter

front 402

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?

_____ _____

back 402

Clostridium perfringens

front 403

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

_____ base because organisms most commonly _____ there.

back 403

Abscess base — organisms most commonly replicate there.

front 404

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

back 404

The lowest drug concentration that stops visible growth

front 405

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

back 405

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

front 406

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

_____

back 406

Enterobacteriaceae

front 407

What two classes of organisms are best detected using microscopy?

1. ____-____ rods

2. ____-____ cocci

back 407

1. Acid-fast rods

2. Gram-negative cocci

front 408

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

back 408

C. Continuous septicemia — intravascular infections cause continuous bacteremia.

front 409

Intermittent septicemia occurs in patients with _____ infections

Continuous septicemia occurs primarily in patients with _____ infections

back 409

localized

intravascular

front 410

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

back 410

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

front 411

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

back 411

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

front 412

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

back 412

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

front 413

Which direct test can detect group A strep?

A. Immunoassay

B. Coagulase test

C. Oxidase test

D. Acid-fast stain

back 413

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

front 414

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

back 414

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

front 415

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

_____ contamination

back 415

Saliva contamination

front 416

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

back 416

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

front 417

2 most common genital specimens?

_____ _____

_____ _____

back 417

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Chlamydia trachomatis

front 418

How should you collect a feces sample?

____ pan not a swab

back 418

Clean

front 419

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

_____ _____ tests and _____ _____ tests

back 419

broth dilution tests and agar diffusion tests

front 420

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

back 420

nutrient

innoculated

front 421

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

back 421

disk

antibiotics

bacteria

antibiotic

front 422

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

back 422

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

front 423

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

back 423

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

front 424

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

back 424

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

front 425

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

back 425

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

front 426

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.

back 426

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

front 427

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

back 427

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

front 428

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

back 428

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

front 429

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

back 429

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

front 430

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

back 430

A. Oxygen exposure — oxygen inhibits anaerobe recovery.

front 431

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

back 431

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

front 432

Most bacterial pharyngitis is caused by which organism?

____ ____ Streptococcus

back 432

Group A Streptococcus

front 433

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

back 433

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

front 434

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

back 434

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

front 435

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

back 435

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

front 436

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

back 436

C. High specificity — GAS immunoassays are highly specific.

front 437

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

back 437

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

front 438

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

back 438

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

front 439

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

back 439

C. May obstruct airway — especially dangerous in children.

front 440

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

back 440

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

front 441

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

back 441

C. Septicemia — bacteremia and fungemia are collectively septicemia.

front 442

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

back 442

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

front 443

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

back 443

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

front 444

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

back 444

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

front 445

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

back 445

C. Mycobacteria — mycobacteria need extended incubation.

front 446

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

back 446

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

front 447

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

back 447

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

front 448

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

back 448

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

front 449

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

back 449

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

front 450

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

back 450

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

front 451

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

back 451

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

front 452

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

back 452

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

front 453

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

back 453

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

front 454

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

back 454

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

front 455

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

back 455

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

front 456

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

back 456

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

front 457

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

back 457

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

front 458

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

back 458

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

front 459

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

back 459

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

front 460

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

back 460

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

front 461

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

back 461

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

front 462

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

back 462

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

front 463

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

back 463

B. Midstream urine — cystitis testing avoids urethral contamination.

front 464

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

back 464

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

front 465

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

back 465

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

front 466

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

back 466

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

front 467

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

back 467

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

front 468

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

back 468

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

front 469

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

back 469

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

front 470

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

back 470

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

front 471

Which preservative can be used for delayed stool transport?

A. Phosphate-glycerol buffer

B. Sheep blood agar

C. Mueller-Hinton agar

D. Sabouraud agar

back 471

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

front 472

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

back 472

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

front 473

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

back 473

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

front 474

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

back 474

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

front 475

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

back 475

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

front 476

Which method is becoming preferred for broad enteric pathogen detection?

A. High multiplex NAAT

B. Gram stain only

C. Blood culture

D. Broth dilution

back 476

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

front 477

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

back 477

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

front 478

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

back 478

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

front 479

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

back 479

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

front 480

Broth dilution testing is used to determine which value?

A. O antigen

B. Toxin titer

C. MIC

D. Capsule thickness

back 480

C. MIC