Final answer:
Neisseria gonorrhoeae primarily uses fimbriae to attach to the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract. These are short, bristle-like structures on the surface of bacteria that aid in attachment to host cells or surfaces. They contain adhesins that bind to specific receptors on host cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary means by which Neisseria gonorrhoeae attaches to the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract is through fimbriae. Fimbriae are short, bristle-like structures that are present on the surface of certain bacteria, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae. These appendages serve as structures that aid in the attachment of bacteria to host cells or surfaces. They play a crucial role in bacterial infectivity and virulence. Fimbriae possess molecules, called adhesins, that bind to specific glycoprotein receptors on host cells.
While flagella, capsules, and endotoxins also play roles in bacterial adhesion, in the case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, it is primarily the fimbriae that enable attachment to the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract. This is a key step in the pathogenesis of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease caused by this bacterium.
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