When pathogenic bacterial cells lose the ability to make adhesins, they typically                  .


a. become avirulent
b. produce endotoxin
c. absorb endotoxin
d. increase in virulence

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of adhesins in pathogenic bacteria. Adhesins are molecules that help bacteria attach to host cells, which is a critical step in establishing an infection.
2. Consider what happens when bacteria lose the ability to produce adhesins. Without adhesins, bacteria may struggle to attach to host cells, potentially reducing their ability to cause disease.
3. Evaluate the options given: a. become avirulent, b. produce endotoxin, c. absorb endotoxin, d. increase in virulence.
4. Analyze each option: Option a suggests a loss of virulence, which aligns with the loss of attachment ability. Option b and c involve endotoxins, which are unrelated to adhesins. Option d suggests increased virulence, which contradicts the loss of attachment ability.
5. Conclude that the most logical outcome when pathogenic bacteria lose adhesins is a decrease in their ability to cause disease, making them avirulent.

Key Concepts

Adhesins

Adhesins are surface structures on pathogenic bacteria that facilitate attachment to host cells. This attachment is crucial for colonization and infection, as it allows bacteria to resist being flushed away by bodily fluids. Without adhesins, bacteria struggle to establish infections, leading to a decrease in their virulence.

Virulence

Virulence refers to the degree of pathogenicity of a microorganism, indicating its ability to cause disease. Factors contributing to virulence include the organism's ability to adhere to host tissues, evade the immune response, and produce toxins. A decrease in virulence typically occurs when a pathogen loses critical factors like adhesins.

Pathogenicity

Pathogenicity is the capacity of an organism to cause disease in a host. It encompasses various mechanisms, including the production of virulence factors such as toxins and the ability to adhere to and invade host tissues. Understanding pathogenicity helps in assessing how changes in bacterial traits, like losing adhesins, can impact their ability to cause disease.