Disease Unit

Which leads to the conclusion that strep throat is a bacterial infection?

• strep throat is treated with vaccines

• strep throat is treated with antibiotics

• a strep infection will go away without being treated

• a person who has strep throat can never have it again

Humans occasionally become infected with common colds and flu after flying on crowded airplanes. Which microscopic biological hazard is most likely responsible?

• vector-borne parasites

• environmental mutagens

• airborne contagions

• food-borne bacteria

Which would be least effective in treating an illness caused by a virus?

• drinking plenty of fluids

• widespread vaccinations

• daily treatment with antibiotics

• getting extra rest and sleep

The bacteria that causes bubonic plague is transmitted to humans by fleas. Which term best describes the role of the fleas in transmitting bubonic plague?

• parasite

• pathogen

• decomposer

• vector

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS. The first known human cases of AIDS were in Africa in the late 1950s. Since then, tens of millions of people have died

from the disease, and tens of millions more people all over the world are infected. Which term best describes the disease AIDS?

• pandemic

• outbreak

• isolated cases

• epidemic

A city has an outbreak of a disease that affects an unusually large portion of its population at the same time. Which term best describes the situation?

• pandemic

• epidemic

• plague

• infection

Why do some antibiotics become ineffective over time?

• because they mutate before being used

• because they only kill certain viruses

• because they only work for a few hours a day

• because they are overused

Which characteristic makes it easy to spread, but difficult to treat and prevent, certain fungal infections?

• fungi are heterotrophic

• fungi are multicellular

• fungi grown in dry environments

• fungi reproduce by spores

Which is a distinguishing characteristic describing most parasitic diseases?

• they are usually harmless diseases and seldom fatal

• they are most often experienced in very wet climates

• they are most often experienced in very dry climates

• they are often carried by insects or other vectors

Which is the smallest pathogen?

• parasite

• bacteria

• virus

• fungus