Skip to main content
Sign in Register
Question no. 60419

Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites synthesized by________________?

Select your answer for: Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites synthesized by________________?
Show answer

Answer: C. Aspergillus flavus

Explanation

Aspergillus flavus is the primary fungal mold responsible for synthesizing potent carcinogenic aflatoxins. These toxic secondary metabolites contaminate food crops stored under warm and humid environmental conditions. Ingestion of aflatoxin-contaminated grains poses severe health risks to human and animal populations. Mycotoxins are toxic chemical compounds produced naturally by various molds and filamentous fungi. Aspergillus species are widespread environmental molds found commonly in soil and decaying vegetation. Aflatoxins primarily target the liver, potentially leading to acute toxicity or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Agricultural industries implement strict screening protocols to prevent contaminated crops from entering food supplies. Global food safety standards regulate maximum allowable levels of mycotoxins in consumable agricultural products. Chronic exposure to dietary aflatoxins remains a significant public health concern in tropical regions. Aspergillus niger is commonly used in industrial fermentation and citric acid production rather than aflatoxins. Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic human pathogen known for causing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Grouping all listed species together is incorrect because only specific molds synthesize aflatoxins.

Subject
Medical
Category
Medical
Topic
—
Difficulty
medium

Related questions

Q1. Active artificial immunity is achieved by administering all of the following preparations EXCEPT______________?

Select your answer for: Active artificial immunity is achieved by administering all of the following preparations EXCEPT______________?
Show answer

Answer: D. Antitoxins

Active immunity requires the patient's own immune system to generate a response. Antitoxins contain preformed antibodies derived from hyperimmunized animals or humans. Administering preformed antibodies provides immediat...

Q2. Adjuvants administered alongside antigens function to________________?

Select your answer for: Adjuvants administered alongside antigens function to________________?
Show answer

Answer: B. Increase antigenicity

Adjuvants stimulate the innate immune system to enhance the adaptive response against specific antigens. Enhancing antigenicity ensures that co-administered vaccine components trigger a robust and long-lasting immunity....

Q3. The infectious agent responsible for actinomycosis is______________?

Select your answer for: The infectious agent responsible for actinomycosis is______________?
Show answer

Answer: C. Anaerobic, gram positive, non-acid fast bacteria.

Actinomycosis is caused by anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria that lack acid-fast staining properties. Species such as Actinomyces israelii are filamentous bacteria rather than true fungi or acid-fast bacilli. Option C ac...

Q4. All of the following features are observed in Entamoeba histolytica cysts except_____________?

Select your answer for: All of the following features are observed in Entamoeba histolytica cysts except_____________?
Show answer

Answer: D. Refractile nucleus

Entamoeba histolytica cysts characteristically contain round, centrally located nuclei. An eccentric nucleus is not a feature of these mature protozoan cysts. Microscopic identification relies on observing the correct nu...

Q5. Which human bone initiates the ossification process earliest among the choices ?

Select your answer for: Which human bone initiates the ossification process earliest among the choices ?
Show answer

Answer: A. Mandible

The mandible initiates intramembranous ossification earlier than any other human skeletal bone structure. Fetal craniofacial development begins with early bone matrix formation in the lower jaw area. Ossification centers...

Q6. All statements regarding Legionella pneumophila are true except______________?

Select your answer for: All statements regarding Legionella pneumophila are true except______________?
Show answer

Answer: D. Person to person transmission

Legionella pneumophila is typically acquired through environmental water sources rather than person-to-person contact. Infectious aerosols from contaminated cooling towers or showers transmit the bacteria to human hosts....