Question

The bacterium Yersinia pestis was responsible for millions of deaths during the Black Death or plague in medieval Europe. Y. pestis contains a type 3 secretion system that delivers six Yop proteins into the host cell.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

The statement that Yersinia pestis had a type 3 secretion system that delivers Yop proteins and caused the medieval Black Death is true. Bubonic plague outbreaks still occur but are treatable with modern antibiotics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bacterium Yersinia pestis was indeed responsible for millions of deaths during the Black Death or plague in medieval Europe. This statement is true. Yersinia pestis does have a type 3 secretion system that delivers six Yop proteins into the host cell. The Black Death was a pandemic that occurred in the 14th century and had catastrophic effects, significantly reducing the world's population. The bubonic plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, is carried by fleas living on black rats and had different forms, including the pneumonic form, which was responsible for the rapid spread of the Black Death in Europe. In modern times, there are approximately 1,000 to 3,000 cases of plague globally each year, but with the advent of modern antibiotics, the bacterium responds well to treatment, and mortality rates from plague are now very low.