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

Which of the following is NOT a way that microbes can cause disease:

  1. producing toxins

  2. damaging cells

  3. triggering an immune response

  4. blocking nutrient absorption

  5. altering gene expression
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Microbes can cause disease by producing toxins, damaging cells, triggering an immune response, or blocking nutrient absorption, but they do not typically alter gene expression.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of bacterial infection:

  1. pneumonia

  2. tuberculosis

  3. strep throat

  4. influenza

  5. meningitis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Influenza is a viral infection, not a bacterial infection.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common breastfeeding problem?

  1. Mastitis

  2. Thrush

  3. Engorgement

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mastitis, thrush, and engorgement are all common breastfeeding problems that can be managed with proper care and support.

Multiple choice

What are Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)?

  1. Diseases that are not caused by infectious agents.

  2. Diseases that are not transmitted from person to person.

  3. Diseases that are not curable.

  4. Diseases that are not preventable.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

NCDs are diseases that are not caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses. They include diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. NCDs are a major cause of death and disability worldwide.

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?

  1. Chlamydia

  2. Gonorrhea

  3. Mycoplasma genitalium

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

Chlamydia is the most common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is a serious infection of the female reproductive organs that can lead to infertility and other health problems.

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)?

  1. Candida albicans

  2. Candida glabrata

  3. Candida krusei

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

Candida albicans is the most common cause of vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection). It is a type of fungus that can cause itching, burning, and discharge.

Multiple choice

What is the primary mode of transmission of avian influenza among wild birds?

  1. Direct contact

  2. Fecal-oral route

  3. Respiratory droplets

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

Avian influenza is primarily transmitted among wild birds through respiratory droplets, which can occur during close contact, such as when birds share the same airspace or engage in aggressive behaviors.

Multiple choice

Which disease is responsible for the decline of amphibian populations worldwide?

  1. Chytridiomycosis

  2. Ranavirus

  3. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

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

Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has been identified as a major factor in the decline of amphibian populations worldwide, leading to the extinction of numerous species.

Multiple choice

Which disease is caused by a prion and affects the central nervous system of deer and elk?

  1. Chronic wasting disease

  2. Mad cow disease

  3. Scrapie

  4. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chronic wasting disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) caused by a prion and affects the central nervous system of deer, elk, and other cervids, leading to progressive neurological deterioration and eventually death.

Multiple choice

What is the primary route of transmission of tuberculosis in wildlife populations?

  1. Inhalation of aerosolized bacteria

  2. Ingestion of contaminated food or water

  3. Direct contact with infected animals

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

Tuberculosis, caused by bacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, is primarily transmitted among wildlife populations through the inhalation of aerosolized bacteria expelled by infected animals during coughing, sneezing, or vocalizations.

Multiple choice

How does distemper virus affect wildlife populations?

  1. It causes respiratory and neurological symptoms.

  2. It leads to gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea.

  3. It results in skin lesions and hair loss.

  4. It causes reproductive problems and infertility.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Distemper virus, a highly contagious virus, primarily affects carnivores and can cause a range of symptoms, including respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal issues, leading to significant mortality in wildlife populations.

Multiple choice

Which disease is caused by a bacterium and affects the respiratory system of birds, leading to avian cholera?

  1. Pasteurella multocida

  2. Salmonella enterica

  3. Escherichia coli

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

Avian cholera is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida and primarily affects waterfowl and other aquatic birds. It leads to respiratory distress, septicemia, and high mortality rates.

Multiple choice

How does canine distemper virus affect wildlife populations?

  1. It causes respiratory and neurological symptoms.

  2. It leads to gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea.

  3. It results in skin lesions and hair loss.

  4. It causes reproductive problems and infertility.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Canine distemper virus, a highly contagious virus, primarily affects carnivores and can cause a range of symptoms, including respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and gastrointestinal issues, leading to significant mortality in wildlife populations.

Multiple choice

How does West Nile virus affect wildlife populations?

  1. It causes encephalitis and neurological symptoms.

  2. It leads to respiratory distress and pneumonia.

  3. It results in skin lesions and rashes.

  4. It causes reproductive problems and infertility.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne virus, primarily affects birds and can cause encephalitis and neurological symptoms, including tremors, seizures, and paralysis, leading to significant mortality in bird populations.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a syndromic surveillance system?

  1. Sentinel surveillance

  2. Active case finding

  3. Contact tracing

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

BioSense is an example of a syndromic surveillance system that collects data on health-related symptoms from electronic health records and other sources to monitor trends and identify potential outbreaks.