What was the minimum number of hybridized intestinal tissue sections that were evaluated for bacterial content?

• A. 5
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is sampling adequacy when looking for bacteria in intestinal tissue using hybridization techniques. Bacteria can be distributed unevenly along the mucosa, so examining only a single section or just a couple of sections risks missing bacteria that are present in other areas. Analyzing three distinct sections from different regions provides a more representative assessment, increasing the chance of detecting bacteria if they’re present and reducing the chance of a false-negative result. This three-section approach hits a practical balance between thoroughness and effort, making it the minimum number that commonly yields a reliable evaluation of bacterial content. If results remain negative after three sections, more sections can be examined, but three is the standard minimum to reasonably capture sampling variability.