Multiple Choice
Which of the following bacteria produces an enzyme that breaks down urea?
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1. Introduction to Microbiology
Members of the Bacterial World
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Which enzyme is absent in Staphylococcus epidermidis but present in Staphylococcus aureus?
A
Catalase
B
Oxidase
C
Urease
D
Coagulase
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of each enzyme listed: Catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide, Oxidase is involved in electron transport, Urease hydrolyzes urea, and Coagulase causes blood plasma to clot.
Recall that both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are catalase-positive, meaning they both produce catalase enzyme.
Recognize that oxidase is generally negative in Staphylococcus species, so it is not a distinguishing enzyme between these two.
Focus on coagulase, which is an enzyme produced by Staphylococcus aureus that causes clotting of plasma, but is absent in Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Conclude that the presence or absence of coagulase is a key biochemical test used to differentiate Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase-positive) from Staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase-negative).
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