Bacteriology: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Bacteriology

Sample item

What is an endotoxin component of gram-negative bacteria?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria contains lipid A, the endotoxin component that drives strong inflammatory responses.

Option by option

  • A. Lipopolysaccharide (correct)

    Correct: lipid A within lipopolysaccharide is endotoxin.

  • B. Teichoic acid

    Teichoic acids are associated with gram-positive cell walls.

  • C. Capsule only

    Capsules can increase virulence but are not endotoxin.

  • D. Peptidoglycan only

    Peptidoglycan is a cell-wall structural polymer, not gram-negative endotoxin.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Lipopolysaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria contains lipid A, the endotoxin component that drives strong inflammatory responses.

Why is "Teichoic acid" not the answer?

Teichoic acids are associated with gram-positive cell walls.

Why is "Capsule only" not the answer?

Capsules can increase virulence but are not endotoxin.

Why is "Peptidoglycan only" not the answer?

Peptidoglycan is a cell-wall structural polymer, not gram-negative endotoxin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Bacteriology in Microbiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: lipid A within lipopolysaccharide is endotoxin.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Bacteriology?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.