Textbook Question
Why might an alcoholic be susceptible to pulmonary disease?
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Ch. 20 - Pathogenic Gram-Negative Cocci and Bacilli
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - A Brief History of Microbiology31
- Ch. 2 - The Chemistry of Microbiology28
- Ch. 3 - Cell Structure and Function39
- Ch. 4 - Microscopy, Staining, and Classification25
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism51
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Nutrition and Growth37
- Ch. 7 - Microbial Genetics51
- Ch. 8 - Recombinant DNA Technology21
- Ch. 9 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Environment36
- Ch. 10 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial Drugs21
- Ch. 11 - Characterizing and Classifying Prokaryotes29
- Ch. 12 - Characterizing and Classifying Eukaryotes34
- Ch. 13 - Characterizing and Classifying Viruses, Viroids, and Prions23
- Ch. 14 - Infection, Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology35
- Ch. 15 - Innate Immunity34
- Ch. 16 - Adaptive Immunity21
- Ch. 17 - Immunization and Immune Testing29
- Ch. 18 - Immune Disorders22
- Ch. 19 - Pathogenic Gram-Positive Bacteria25
- Ch. 20 - Pathogenic Gram-Negative Cocci and Bacilli28
- Ch. 21 - Rickettsias, Chlamydias, Spirochetes, and Vibrios25
- Ch. 22 - Pathogenic Fungi47
- Ch. 23 - Parasitic Protozoa, Helminths, and Arthropod Vectors44
- Ch. 24 - Pathogenic DNA Viruses23
- Ch. 25 - Pathogenic RNA Viruses30
- Ch. 26 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology29
- Ch. 27 - Microbial Ecology and Microbiomes22
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 20, Problem 6
Capsules of pathogenic enteric bacteria are virulence factors because they __________.
a. Capture iron from hemoglobin and store it in the bacteria
b. Release hemolysins that destroy red blood cells
c. Produce fimbriae that enable the bacteria to attach to human cells
d. Protect the bacteria from phagocytosis and from some antibodies
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand what a capsule is: it is a polysaccharide layer that surrounds some bacteria, providing protection and aiding in virulence.
Recall the role of capsules in pathogenic bacteria, especially enteric bacteria, which are bacteria that inhabit the intestinal tract.
Consider how capsules help bacteria evade the host immune system, particularly by preventing phagocytosis, which is the process where immune cells engulf and destroy bacteria.
Evaluate each option in the question by matching it with known functions of capsules: iron capture, hemolysin release, fimbriae production, and protection from immune responses.
Identify that capsules primarily protect bacteria from phagocytosis and some antibodies, making option (d) the correct explanation of their role as virulence factors.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Bacterial Capsules as Virulence Factors
Capsules are protective layers surrounding some bacteria that enhance their ability to cause disease. They help bacteria evade the host immune system by preventing phagocytosis, allowing the bacteria to survive and multiply within the host.
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03:05
Virulence
Phagocytosis and Immune Evasion
Phagocytosis is a process where immune cells engulf and destroy pathogens. Capsules interfere with this process by masking bacterial surface antigens, making it harder for immune cells to recognize and ingest the bacteria, thus aiding bacterial survival.
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02:19Phagoctytosis
Role of Antibodies in Bacterial Clearance
Antibodies bind to bacterial antigens to mark them for destruction. Capsules can inhibit antibody binding or complement activation, reducing the effectiveness of the immune response and allowing bacteria to persist in the host.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Name six factors that facilitate the production of disease by Bordetella pertussis.
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Textbook Question
Given that pseudomonads are present in almost every moist environment, why do they cause less disease than other, less prevalent Gram-negative bacteria?
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Textbook Question
A coliform bacterium that likely contaminates dairy products is ___________.
a. Bartonella
b. Serratia
c. Enterobacter
d. Proteus
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Textbook Question
Which of the following bacteria might be responsible for the formation of petechiae in a host?
a. Neisseria meningitidis
b. Escherichia coli O157:H7
c. Klebsiella
d. Proteus mirabilis
Textbook Question
The pathogen Haemophilus influenzae b causes.
a. Meningitis in children
b. Upper respiratory flu
c. Endocarditis
d. Genital chancroid
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