62.5k views
5 votes
Branching GPB, partially acid-fast, hydrolyze urea:

A) Escherichia coli
B) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
C) Proteus mirabilis
D) Staphylococcus aureus

User Smythie
by
7.1k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

In summary, the bacterium that fits the description of having branching GPB, being partially acid-fast, and capable of hydrolyzing urea is Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks to identify a bacterium that has branching gram-positive bacilli (GPB), is partially acid-fast, and has the ability to hydrolyze urea. The correct answer is Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium is known for its club-shaped appearance, which can sometimes resemble branching. It is also partially acid-fast due to the presence of mycolic acid in its cell wall, which is a characteristic it shares with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, another well-known acid-fast bacterium. Corynebacterium diphtheriae can also hydrolyze urea, distinguishing it from other choices that either are not acid-fast, do not hydrolyze urea, or do not have branching GPB structures.

User Bmeulmeester
by
8.5k points