Microbiology

Which is a distinction between an epidemic and a pandemic?

• the species of organisms infected

• the symptoms of the disease

• the geographical area affected

• the season in which the disease spreads

Millions of people living all over the world have cancer. Is cancer a pandemic?

• No, because cancer is not contagious.

• No, because cancer is not always fatal.

• Yes, because millions of people have cancer.

• Yes, because people all over the world have cancer.

Which of these diseases is caused by a bacterium?

• rabies

• influenza

• strep throat

• chicken pox

Having students wash their hands frequently with soap and water will limit the spread of infectious disease by

• protecting harmless bacterial cells.

• changing viral and bacterial nucleic acids.

• releasing mutated cells from pores.

• removing viruses and bacteria from the skin.

Scientists determined that specific agents produce specific diseases, and many are transmitted by sneezing. What must the droplets contain for a disease to be transmitted by sneezing?

• the disease-causing particles

• cells exposed to the disease

• toxins released by diseased cells

• disease-specific antibodies

A student conducts an experiment using a common but potentially harmful bacteria culture. After working with the bacteria, which is the MOST important safety practice to follow?

• turn off any electrical equipment

• dispose of waste materials

• wash hands and tabletops thoroughly

• return materials to their proper place

Five students get sick with a cold after a weekend field trip to the aquarium with their classmates. Which best explains why these students became sick?

• contact with an infected fish

• contact with an infected person

• contact with contaminated food

• contact with a contaminated water

Which best explains a global outbreak that has a vaccine in development?

• It is a pandemic caused by a virus.

• It is an epidemic caused by a virus.

• It is a pandemic caused by a bacteria.

• It is an epidemic caused by a bacteria.

There was a Salmonella outbreak at the local schoolhouse. Which would best explain the type of outbreak that has occurred?

• It is an epidemic, because a lot of students got sick at school.

• It is a pandemic, because a lot of students got sick at school.

• It is an epidemic, because it spread over a large region.

• It is a pandemic, because it spread over a small region.

Which pathogen, by being the smallest, is able to spread and infect the greatest number of hosts?

• bacteria

• fungi

• protists

• viruses