Pathogens Unit Overview

Microbiology is the study of...

• fossils

• small living things

• diseases

• elements

Which of these diseases is caused by a bacterium?

• rabies

• influenza

• strep throat

• chicken pox

A weakened or dead form of the pathogen that stimulates the immune system to make antibodies is called

• vaccine

• antiviral

• antibiotic

A doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat an illness. Which type of illness did the doctor most likely?

• cancer

• heart disease

• viral infection

• bacterial infection

Which of the following is a true statement about bacteria?

• Bacteria exist in only a few environments on earth

• Bacteria can grow to extremely large sizes

• Most bacteria are harmful to humans

• Bacteria can be both harmful and helpful to humans.

The majority of bacterial infections can be treated with (a)

• antibiotics

• vaccines

• vitamins

How are quarantines used to slow the spread of an epidemic?

• Quarantine prevents individuals from eating food that is potentially contaminated

• Quarantines allow enough time for antibiotics to take effect in infected individuals

• Quarantines keep infects individuals separate so they cannot pass the disease to others

• Quarantines keep people inside their homes so that family members can provide care for each other

Which is distinction between an epidemic and a pandemic?

• the symptoms of the disease

• the geographical area affected

• the species of organisms infected

• the season in which the disease spreads

Which would be least effective in preventing the spread of a disease-causing organism?

• the use of vaccines

• the use of antibiotics

• a decrease in pesticides use

The Spanish Flu of 1918 occurred during World War I and killed between 30 to 50 million people worldwide. Which best explains the spread of this virus?

• The Spanish Flu quickly became a pandemic due to the close quarters and distances traveled by troops.

• The Spanish Flu quickly became an epidemic due to the close quarters and distances traveled by troops.

• The Spanish Flu quickly became a pandemic due to the lack of antibiotics and poor hygiene of the troops.

• The Spanish Flu quickly became an epidemic due to the lack of antibiotics and poor hygiene of the troops.