Microbiology and Disease Review

Which best contrasts a bacterium and a virus?

• A bacterium can reproduce, whereas a virus will not reproduce.

• A bacterium does not live in living things, whereas a virus does.

• A bacterium is a one-celled living organism, whereas a virus is a nonliving organism.

Diseases that can be transmitted between organisms are

• infectious

• environmental

• inherited

• congenital

For which disease would a doctor most likely prescribe an antibiotic?

• flu

• cold

• chickenpox

• strep throat

Which contagion is correctly matched to the disease it causes?

• polio - bacteria

• rabies - fungus

• influenza - parasite

• chicken pox - virus

The overuse of antibiotics has most likely resulted in the development of resistant strains of which organisms?

• bacteria

• fungi

• protozoa

• viruses

Alan noticed that his foot itched between his toes after coming home from the gym. He now believes he may have contracted athlete’s foot. What type of pathogen most likely caused this possible infection of his foot?

• bacterium

• fungus

• virus

The table shows leading causes of death in the United States.

Which of the causes can be categorized as an infectious disease?

• cancer

• stroke

• diabetes

• influenza

Plasmodium is a protozoan that carries malaria. Which organism is known to carry this protozoan?

• mosquito

• flea

• tick

Ten people became sick with the flu after attending a school dance. What is the scenario that could best explain how the people got sick?

• contact with environmental sources

• contact with an infected animal

• contact with a contaminated object

• contact with an infected person

Lyme disease is spread by ticks and people affected with Lyme disease often exhibit a rash and symptoms similar to the flu. Which is the cause of Lyme disease?

• a virus

• a toxin

• a fungus

• a bacterium