Bacteria causing catheter infections attach to surfaces using:
Fimbriae
Flagella
Ribosomes
The Correct Answer is A
A. Fimbriae: Fimbriae are short, hair-like appendages on the surface of many bacteria that enable them to adhere to surfaces, including medical devices like catheters. This attachment is critical in forming biofilms, which protect the bacteria from the host immune system and antibiotics, making infections persistent and difficult to eradicate.
B. Flagella: Flagella are long, whip-like structures used primarily for bacterial motility. While they help bacteria move toward favorable environments or away from harmful stimuli (chemotaxis), they are not directly responsible for attachment to surfaces such as catheters.
C. Ribosomes: Ribosomes are intracellular structures responsible for protein synthesis and play no role in bacterial adhesion. They are essential for growth and replication but do not contribute to attachment or biofilm formation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
In gram-negative bacteria, the cell envelope is a complex structure composed of three main layers: an inner (cytoplasmic) membrane, a periplasmic space, and an outer membrane. The inner membrane is a phospholipid bilayer that regulates transport and energy production. The periplasmic space lies between the inner and outer membranes and contains a thin layer of peptidoglycan along with enzymes involved in nutrient processing and defense. The outer membrane contains lipopolysaccharides (LPS), porins, and other proteins that provide structural support, act as a barrier to certain antibiotics, and contribute to the organism’s pathogenicity.
100 Multiple Choice 0.5 points
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. slime layer: The slime layer is an extracellular, loosely attached structure that helps bacteria adhere to surfaces and evade host defenses. It provides no significant protection against osmotic pressure changes, so it would not prevent the cell from bursting in a hypotonic freshwater environment.
B. endospore: Endospores are dormant, highly resistant structures formed by certain bacteria to survive extreme environmental stress, such as heat, desiccation, or chemicals. While they provide long-term survival, they do not actively prevent osmotic lysis in vegetative cells exposed to hypotonic conditions.
C. cell wall: The bacterial cell wall, composed of peptidoglycan in most bacteria, provides rigidity and structural support. It counteracts the osmotic pressure that builds when water moves into the cell in a hypotonic environment, preventing the cytoplasm from swelling and lysing. This is the primary structure that maintains bacterial integrity under osmotic stress.
D. capsule: The capsule is a gelatinous layer that surrounds some bacteria and provides protection from phagocytosis and desiccation. It does not contribute significantly to withstanding osmotic pressure differences and would not prevent cell rupture in hypotonic conditions.
E. cell membrane: The cell membrane is selectively permeable and controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. While it is essential for cellular function, it alone cannot withstand the osmotic pressure caused by a sudden influx of water; the rigid cell wall is required to prevent lysis.
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