Pathogens (Review Quiz)

Which pathogen is non-living?

• Virus

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Parasite/Protist

• They are all alive

Answer explanation

A virus is considered non-living because it cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic processes on its own. It requires a host cell to replicate, unlike bacteria, fungi, and parasites, which are all classified as living organisms.

Which type of pathogen is responsible for causing the flu, chicken pox, and yellow fever?

• viruses

• parasites

• fungi

• bacteria

Answer explanation

The flu, chicken pox, and yellow fever are all caused by viruses. Unlike bacteria, fungi, and parasites, viruses are the specific pathogens responsible for these diseases.

How could you describe the size of a virus?

• Smaller than bacteria

• Larger than a parasite

• About the size of a dime

• Smaller than a proton

Answer explanation

Viruses are significantly smaller than bacteria, typically ranging from 20 to 300 nanometers, making "smaller than bacteria" the correct description. The other options do not accurately represent the size of viruses.

Which pathogen is treated with antibiotics?

• virus

• bacteria

• parasite

• fungi

Answer explanation

Antibiotics are specifically designed to treat bacterial infections. They are ineffective against viruses, parasites, and fungi, making 'bacteria' the correct choice for pathogens treated with antibiotics.

Which is not an infectious disease?

• Malaria

• Diabetes

• Tetanus

• Measles

Answer explanation

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes glucose, but it is not caused by infectious agents. In contrast, malaria, tetanus, and measles are all infectious diseases caused by pathogens.

Sabrina has the flu. Her neighbor suggests she get a prescription for an antibiotic, but Sabrina's mothers says that antibiotics would not help in this situation. Why?

• the flu is caused by a virus, and it cannot be treated with an antibiotic.

• the flu is caused by a fungus, and it must be treated with antifungal medication

• the flu is caused by a parasitic worm, and must be treated with an anti-parasitic medication

• the flu is caused by a bacterium, and it cannot be treated with an antibiotic.

Answer explanation

The flu is caused by a virus, which means antibiotics, which target bacteria, will not be effective. Therefore, Sabrina's mother is correct that antibiotics would not help in this situation.

Disease-causing microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus.

• pathogen

• allergen

• prion

• antigen

Answer explanation

A pathogen is a disease-causing microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus. The other options, like allergen, prion, and antigen, do not specifically refer to disease-causing agents.

What are the 4 types of pathogens that could cause illness?

• animals, bacteria, fungi and plants

• bacteria, fungi, nucleus, parasites

• bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites

• bacteria, plants, fungi, parasites

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites' as these are the four main types of pathogens that can cause illness. Animals and plants do not typically fall under the category of pathogens.

Viruses reproduce themselves by...

• dividing into two identical copies

• causing cells to transform into viruses

• making host cells reproduce copies of the viruses

• planting eggs inside host organisms

Answer explanation

Viruses cannot reproduce on their own; they hijack host cells to replicate. The correct choice, 'making host cells reproduce copies of the viruses,' accurately describes this process of viral replication.

Which pathogen needs a host cell to reproduce?

• virus

• bacteria

• fungus

• parasite

Answer explanation

A virus requires a host cell to reproduce, as it cannot replicate on its own. In contrast, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can reproduce independently or in various environments.