Biology ยท Science General

Disease Causative Agents

2,531 Questions

Disease causative agents questions test your understanding of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, along with their transmission methods. These are common topics in general science sections of SSC and railways exams. Practice these questions to accurately identify disease pathogens and symptoms.

Viral diseasesFoodborne illnessesDisease transmission methodsExtrinsic disease factorsCommon pathogens

Disease Causative Agents Questions

Multiple choice

We know how infectious diseases are caused because of...

  1. the germ theory of GCMS

  2. the germ theory of disease

  3. the candy theory of disease

  4. the internet (wrong answer)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The germ theory of disease is the scientific consensus that explains how infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms.

Multiple choice

Pasteur was famous for the following discovery:

  1. microbes (germs) could cause disease and could be spread

  2. chemicals can be used to reduce the spread of microbes

  3. specific microbes cause specific disease

  4. Using gloves during surgery can reduce the spread of germs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Louis Pasteur is famous for his experiments that disproved spontaneous generation and demonstrated that microorganisms (germs) cause disease and can be transmitted.

Multiple choice

Koch was famous for the following discovery:

  1. microbes (germs) could cause disease and could be spread

  2. chemicals can be used to reduce the spread of microbes

  3. specific microbes cause specific disease

  4. Using gloves during surgery can reduce the spread of germs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Robert Koch is famous for developing Koch's postulates, which established a specific causal relationship between a specific microbe and a specific disease.

Multiple choice

Lister was famous for the following discovery:

  1. microbes (germs) could cause disease and could be spread

  2. chemicals can be used to reduce the spread of microbes

  3. specific microbes cause specific disease

  4. Using gloves during surgery can reduce the spread of germs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Joseph Lister is renowned for pioneering antiseptic surgery. He discovered that using chemicals, such as carbolic acid, to clean wounds and surgical instruments significantly reduced the spread of microbes and post-operative infections.

Multiple choice

Halsted was famous for the following discovery:

  1. microbes (germs) could cause disease and could be spread

  2. chemicals can be used to reduce the spread of microbes

  3. specific microbes cause specific disease

  4. Using gloves during surgery can reduce the spread of germs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

William Halsted is famous for introducing the use of sterile rubber gloves during surgery. This innovation was a major advancement in preventing the transmission of germs between surgeons and patients.

Multiple choice

Virchow was famous for the following discovery:

  1. many microbes are made of a single cell

  2. handwashing reduces the spread of disease

  3. cells arise from cells

  4. cleanliness is important when taking care of patients
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Rudolf Virchow popularized the concept of 'omnis cellula e cellula', which translates to 'all cells arise from cells'. This was a foundational principle for the cell theory.

Multiple choice

A virus causes which of these diseases?

  1. Impetigo

  2. Cholera

  3. Salmonella

  4. HIV
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is caused by a virus. Impetigo and Salmonella are caused by bacteria, and cholera is also caused by a bacterium.

Multiple choice

A bacterium causes which of these disease?

  1. Chicken pox

  2. Rabies

  3. Chlamydia

  4. Polio
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chicken pox, rabies, and polio are all caused by viruses.

Multiple choice

A fungus causes which of these diseases?

  1. Flu

  2. Malaria

  3. E. coli

  4. Athlete's foot
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Athlete's foot is a common skin infection caused by a fungus. The flu is viral, E. coli is bacterial, and malaria is caused by a protist.

Multiple choice

The common cold is caused by.........?

  1. bacteria

  2. virus

  3. fungi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. It is most commonly caused by rhinoviruses.

Multiple choice

Which of these is NOT a way to spread disease?

  1. Sleep

  2. Food

  3. Sexual contact

  4. Animals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sleep is a physiological state of rest and does not involve the transmission of pathogens. Food, sexual contact, and animals are all well-documented modes of disease transmission.