Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and blood infections. S. pneumoniae can change rapidly and evade the immune system. Which characteristics of S. pneumoniae facilitate this rapid evolution? Please select all that apply.

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S. pneumoniae is naturally competent, which means it can take up naked DNA and incorporate it into its genome (this is transformation). S. pneumoniae genomes can acquire new capsule genes from lysed S. pneumoniae cells by transformation. The human immune system and current vaccines recognize and target the carbohydrate capsule. By acquiring new capsule carbohydrates, S. pneumoniae cells increase their chance of evading the immune system. S. pneumoniae has a circular genome.

Streptococcus Pneumoniae Can Cause Pneumonia, Meningitis, and Blood Infections