Salmonella Species Use ________ to Facilitate Attachment to Gastrointestinal Tissue

Question

Salmonella species use ________ to facilitate attachment to gastrointestinal tissue.
A) type I fimbriae
B) antiphagocytic proteins
C) siderophores
D) pili

Accepted Answer

Salmonella species use type I fimbriae, also known as mannose-sensitive fimbriae, to facilitate attachment to gastrointestinal tissue. These fimbriae are composed of a protein called FimH, which binds to the sugar molecule mannose found on the surface of host cells in the gut. This attachment allows the bacteria to colonize and infect the host. Option B is incorrect as antiphagocytic proteins are used by bacteria to avoid being engulfed and killed by immune cells, not for attachment to host tissue. Option C is incorrect as siderophores are molecules produced by bacteria to scavenge iron from the host, and are not directly involved in attachment. Option D is incorrect as pili are similar to fimbriae, but are typically longer and involved in a broader range of functions, such as DNA transfer between bacteria.