Question

Which of the following is a means by which Borrelia burgdorferi evades the body's defenses?A. It has manganese-containing enzymesB. It has a polysaccharide capsule and antiphagocytic proteins C. It is capable of antigenic variation and has manganese-containing enzymesD. It has a polysaccharide capsuleE. It is capable of antigenic variation

Answer 1

Answer:

Option (C).

Explanation:

Borrelia burgdorferi is the bacterial species that causes lyme disease in the organisms. The researcher that discovers the Borrelia burgdorferi was  Willy Burgdorfer.

The Borrelia has the ability to evades the body's defense. This species has antigenic variation and contains the enzymes that contain manganese which increases its capability.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C).

Answer 2

Answer:

C

Explanation:

Borrelia burgdorferi is capable of antigenic variation, where it can change expression of antigens making it difficult for the immune system to identify it.

B. burdorferi also has manganese-containing enzymes instead of iron-containing enzymes and proteins like other pathogens, this helps evade the immune system defenses that protect the body by starving pathogens of iron.

There are also antiphagocytic proteins on the surface of the pathogen that protects them from being digested by the phagocytes.