Anthrax-causing bacteria belong to which genus?

Anthrax-causing bacteria belong to which genus?

• A. Bacillus
• B. Clostridium
• C. Streptococcus
• D. Mycobacterium

Answer: (A)

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, which belongs to the Bacillus genus. This group consists of Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria, a property that helps it survive in harsh conditions and is characteristic of many Bacillus species. That makes Bacillus the correct classification for the anthrax agent. The other genera listed are different types of bacteria—Clostridium are anaerobic spore-formers, Streptococcus are Gram-positive cocci in chains, and Mycobacterium have a distinctive waxy cell wall and include TB and leprosy pathogens—so they don’t describe the organism responsible for anthrax.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, which belongs to the Bacillus genus. This group consists of Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria, a property that helps it survive in harsh conditions and is characteristic of many Bacillus species. That makes Bacillus the correct classification for the anthrax agent. The other genera listed are different types of bacteria—Clostridium are anaerobic spore-formers, Streptococcus are Gram-positive cocci in chains, and Mycobacterium have a distinctive waxy cell wall and include TB and leprosy pathogens—so they don’t describe the organism responsible for anthrax.