Tuberculosis is caused by Answer Question 28[input] tuberculosis.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative organism, so the correct genus name to fill the blank is Mycobacterium.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease most commonly affecting the lungs and is caused by bacteria in the genus Mycobacterium.  
- The principal species causing human TB is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, part of the M. tuberculosis complex (which also includes M. bovis, M. africanum, etc.).  
- Mycobacteria are Gram-positive-like bacilli with a unique, lipid-rich cell wall (mycolic acids) that makes them acid-fast on Ziehl–Neelsen staining and resistant to decolorization by acid-alcohol.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Identify the pathogen class: TB is not caused by a virus, fungus, or protozoan; clinical, microbiologic, and epidemiologic evidence point to a bacterial agent.  
- Determine the bacterial genus: The historical and modern microbiology literature consistently names Mycobacterium (specifically M. tuberculosis) as the etiologic agent.  
- Confirm via diagnostic features: The acid-fast bacillus seen on sputum smear, growth characteristics on Lowenstein-Jensen medium, and molecular tests (PCR targeting M. tuberculosis complex) all identify Mycobacterium.

3) Intermediate diagnostic/identifying steps (how labs confirm)
- Sputum smear positive for acid-fast bacilli (Ziehl–Neelsen).  
- Culture on selective media yielding slow-growing, buff-colored colonies typical of Mycobacterium.  
- Molecular confirmation with nucleic-acid amplification tests specific for M. tuberculosis complex.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- The genus name Mycobacterium directly names the bacterial group that causes tuberculosis; the species M. tuberculosis is the classical human pathogen. The genus implies the correct taxonomy.

5) Why other possibilities are incorrect
- Viruses (e.g., influenza), fungi (e.g., Histoplasma), or common bacteria like Streptococcus or Staphylococcus do not produce the characteristic acid-fast bacilli, granulomatous pathology, or culture features of TB and so are incorrect.

6) Conclusion
- Therefore, tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium (specifically M. tuberculosis), matching the provided correct answer: Mycobacterium.

Tuberculosis is caused by Answer Question 28[input] tuberculosis.Short answer

Similar Questions

Hesiod insists that the good city ruled by good leaders will flourish. Identify the one activity that Hesiod says this properly run city will not need to pursue because its land produces bountiful crops.

Identify one aspect of actual agricultural production that Hesiod deemphasizes in his depiction of the ideal farm.

What is the moral that Hesiod draws from the parable of the Hawk and Nightingale?

Which of the Ages of Mankind is actually a progress and not a decline?

According to Hesiod, there are two kinds of strife that live among mankind. One has positive effects, one negative. What is a positive effect of the good strife?

A patient has persistent crushing substernal chest pain that is not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin. Which event most commonly causes this condition?

A 16-year-old boy has markedly elevated cholesterol and cutaneous xanthomas which are bumps or plaques caused by lipid cells building up under the skin (shown in picture below). His father had a myocardial infarction before age 40. Which of the following is the most likely underlying abnormality?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler