Home-Canned Foods Should Be Boiled Before Consumption to Prevent Botulism

question 77

Multiple Choice

Home-canned foods should be boiled before consumption to prevent botulism. Considering that this treatment does NOT destroy endospores, why would it be helpful in preventing the disease?

• A) Because it would destroy the vegetative cells, and only the vegetative cells cause the disease.
• B) Because it would at least weaken the endospores, making them more susceptible to elimination by our immune system.
• C) Because the heat would denature the botulism endotoxin and inactivate it. The endotoxin is what leads to the disease symptoms, so this would make the food safer.
• D) Because although botulism exotoxin is harmless, it has a bad odor and boiling removes this, making the food more appealing to eat.
• E) Because the heat would denature the botulism exotoxin and inactivate it. The exotoxin is what leads to the disease symptoms, so this would make the food safer.

---

Definitions:

Multiple-Choice

A type of question or test item that offers several answers from which one or more may be chosen as correct.

True/False Questions

A type of question that offers a binary choice between two options, true or false, as the correct answer.

Final Exam

A comprehensive test given at the end of a course of study to evaluate a student's knowledge and understanding of the subject material.

Sociology

The study of society, its institutions, and the relationships among individuals within those institutions.