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

What are the three main modes of transmission for infectious diseases?

  1. Contact, droplet, and airborne

  2. Fomite, vector, and animal

  3. Waterborne, foodborne, and sexually transmitted

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

The three main modes of transmission for infectious diseases are contact, droplet, and airborne; fomite, vector, and animal; and waterborne, foodborne, and sexually transmitted.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a contact-transmitted disease?

  1. Influenza

  2. Measles

  3. Hepatitis A

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

Hepatitis A is an example of a contact-transmitted disease, which is spread through direct contact with an infected person or through contact with contaminated objects.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a droplet-transmitted disease?

  1. Tuberculosis

  2. Meningitis

  3. Chickenpox

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

Mumps is an example of a droplet-transmitted disease, which is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an airborne-transmitted disease?

  1. Rubella

  2. Smallpox

  3. SARS

  4. COVID-19
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

COVID-19 is an example of an airborne-transmitted disease, which is spread through tiny respiratory droplets that can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time.

Multiple choice

Which type of microorganism is responsible for the common cold?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Viruses

  3. Fungi

  4. Protists
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The common cold is caused by a virus, specifically a rhinovirus.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a zoonotic disease?

  1. Influenza

  2. Malaria

  3. HIV/AIDS

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

Rabies is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Influenza, malaria, and HIV/AIDS are not zoonotic diseases.

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of meningitis?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Viruses

  3. Fungi

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

Bacterial meningitis is the most common type, caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis.

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of encephalitis?

  1. Viruses

  2. Bacteria

  3. Fungi

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

Viral encephalitis is the most common type, caused by viruses such as herpes simplex virus and Japanese encephalitis virus.

Multiple choice

What is the primary mode of transmission for bacterial infections?

  1. Airborne

  2. Waterborne

  3. Contact

  4. Vector-borne
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Bacterial infections are primarily transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or animal, or through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of microorganism that can cause disease in humans?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Virus

  3. Fungus

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

Algae are not microorganisms that can cause disease in humans, as they are photosynthetic organisms that produce oxygen and are not typically associated with infection.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the worldwide spread of a new disease?

  1. Pandemic

  2. Epidemic

  3. Outbreak

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

A pandemic refers to the worldwide spread of a new disease, typically affecting a large number of people across multiple countries or continents.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the ability of a pathogen to cause disease?

  1. Virulence

  2. Pathogenicity

  3. Transmissibility

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

Virulence refers to the ability of a pathogen to cause disease, typically measured by the severity of the symptoms it produces.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the period between infection with a pathogen and the appearance of symptoms?

  1. Virulence

  2. Pathogenicity

  3. Transmissibility

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

The incubation period refers to the period between infection with a pathogen and the appearance of symptoms.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of ear infections?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Viruses

  3. Allergies

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

Smoking is not a common cause of ear infections. Bacteria and viruses are the most common causes, while allergies can sometimes contribute to ear infections.

Multiple choice

What is the most common cause of laryngitis?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Viruses

  3. Fungal infection

  4. Allergies
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Viruses are the most common cause of laryngitis. Bacteria, fungal infections, and allergies can also cause laryngitis, but they are less common.