This set of Food Microbiology and Contamination Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Foodborne Intoxication – Botulism, Alfatoxicosis and Ergotism”.
1. What genus of bacteria causes botulism?
a) Escherichia
b) Salmonella
c) Vibrio
d) Clostridium
View Answer
Explanation: Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped, anaerobic bacterium. It has the ability to form spores and the neurotoxin botulinum.
2. Botulism is named after ________
a) Ham
b) Sausages
c) Beef
d) Mutton
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Explanation: Botulism is named after the Latin word for sausage, botulus. This is because the first reliable case of botulism was caused by spoiled sausages in Germany.
3. Botulism toxins are _________
a) Neurotoxins
b) Cytotoxins
c) Myotoxins
d) Endotoxins
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Explanation: Botulism toxins are neurotoxins. They act on the peripheral nervous system through the cholinergic nerves.
4. Difficulty in swallowing is also called __________
a) Dysphonia
b) Dysphagia
c) Dyspnea
d) Dystonia
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Explanation: Botulinum toxins cause difficulty in swallowing by attacking the muscles controlling the process. This is a side effect of Botox as well.
5. Botulism toxins cause flaccid paralysis.
a) True
b) False
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Explanation: The botulism toxins travel up to the bloodstream through the lymphatics. They bind to the nerve ending of a muscle-nerve junction. This blocks the production of acetylcholine which transmits stimuli. Hence, it gives rise to flaccid paralysis.
6. Mycotoxins are produced by ______
a) Bacteria
b) Viruses
c) Protozoa
d) Fungi
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Explanation: Some molds produce enzymes and toxins called mycotoxins using food as a substrate. These chemicals can cause a wide variety of diseases, ranging from food poisoning to cancer.
7. Aflatoxins are produced by ________
a) Penicillium
b) Aspergillus
c) Saccharomyces
d) Rhizobium
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Explanation: Aspergillus flavus produces toxins known as aflatoxins. These are highly carcinogenic in case of rats. They exhibit fluorescence under UV lights.
8. Aflatoxin B1 epoxide reacts with ______ residues of DNA.
a) Guanine
b) Adenine
c) Cytosine
d) Thymine
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Explanation: The toxin acts on the p53 gene. This gene has an anti-cancer function. Also, the hepatitis B virus binds to the product of the same gene. Hence, this could prove to be either a boon or a bane.
9. Ergotism is caused due to ________
a) Aspergillus niger
b) Penicillium notatum
c) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
d) Claviceps purpurea
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Explanation: This fungus grows on rye and other such cereal crops. The alkaloid ergotamine causes hallucinations. Nausea. Uterine contractions etc.
10. Ergotism is also called _________
a) St. Xavier’s fire
b) St. Anthony’s fire
c) St. Paul’s fire
d) St. Matthew’s fire
View Answer
Explanation: Ergotism was called St. Anthony’s Fire as the Monks of the Order of St. Anthony were successful in curing this disease when it was rampant in the Middle Ages.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Food Microbiology and Contamination.
To practice all areas of Food Microbiology and Contamination, here is complete set of Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.
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