Biology ยท Science General

Disease Causative Agents

2,258 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 skin infection is caused by the fungus Candida albicans?

  1. Impetigo

  2. Ringworm

  3. Scabies

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

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans. It can affect the skin, mouth, vagina, and other parts of the body.

Multiple choice

Which skin infection is characterized by the formation of small, itchy, raised bumps on the skin?

  1. Impetigo

  2. Ringworm

  3. Scabies

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

Scabies is characterized by the formation of small, itchy, raised bumps on the skin, particularly in areas such as the hands, wrists, elbows, and buttocks.

Multiple choice

What is the primary causative agent of erysipelas?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Virus

  3. Fungus

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

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection of the superficial layers of the skin and underlying tissues. It is commonly caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.

Multiple choice

Which skin infection is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)?

  1. Impetigo

  2. Ringworm

  3. Scabies

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

Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are small, raised growths that can appear on the skin or mucous membranes.

Multiple choice

Which disease has been eradicated globally?

  1. Smallpox

  2. Polio

  3. Measles

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

Smallpox is the only disease that has been eradicated globally through vaccination.

Multiple choice

What was the primary cause of death during the Black Death pandemic?

  1. Bubonic plague

  2. Pneumonic plague

  3. Septicemic plague

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

The bubonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, was the primary cause of death during the Black Death pandemic.

Multiple choice

What was the primary cause of death during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-19?

  1. Bacterial pneumonia

  2. Viral pneumonia

  3. Tuberculosis

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

Viral pneumonia caused by the influenza virus was the primary cause of death during the Spanish Flu pandemic.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a drug resistance mechanism?

  1. Efflux pumps

  2. Target site modification

  3. Enzymatic inactivation

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

Efflux pumps, target site modification, and enzymatic inactivation are all examples of drug resistance mechanisms.

Multiple choice

What is the role of target site modification in drug resistance?

  1. It changes the structure of the drug target so that the drug can no longer bind to it

  2. It changes the structure of the drug so that it can no longer bind to the drug target

  3. It has no role in drug resistance

  4. It changes the structure of the bacterial cell so that the drug can no longer enter the cell
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Target site modification changes the structure of the drug target so that the drug can no longer bind to it, preventing the drug from inhibiting the target.

Multiple choice

What is the role of enzymatic inactivation in drug resistance?

  1. It chemically modifies the drug so that it is no longer active

  2. It chemically modifies the drug target so that it is no longer active

  3. It has no role in drug resistance

  4. It chemically modifies the bacterial cell so that the drug can no longer enter the cell
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Enzymatic inactivation chemically modifies the drug so that it is no longer active, preventing the drug from inhibiting its target.

Multiple choice

What is the role of horizontal gene transfer in the spread of drug resistance?

  1. It allows bacteria to acquire resistance genes from other bacteria

  2. It allows bacteria to lose resistance genes to other bacteria

  3. It has no role in the spread of drug resistance

  4. Both A and B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Horizontal gene transfer allows bacteria to acquire resistance genes from other bacteria, even if those bacteria are not closely related.

Multiple choice

What is the role of plasmids in the spread of drug resistance?

  1. They can carry resistance genes

  2. They can carry virulence genes

  3. They can carry both resistance genes and virulence genes

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Plasmids can carry resistance genes, which can be transferred from one bacterium to another through horizontal gene transfer.

Multiple choice

What is the role of transposons in the spread of drug resistance?

  1. They can carry resistance genes

  2. They can carry virulence genes

  3. They can carry both resistance genes and virulence genes

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Transposons can carry resistance genes, which can be transferred from one bacterium to another through horizontal gene transfer.

Multiple choice

What is the role of gene cassettes in the spread of drug resistance?

  1. They can carry resistance genes

  2. They can carry virulence genes

  3. They can carry both resistance genes and virulence genes

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Gene cassettes can carry resistance genes, which can be transferred from one bacterium to another through horizontal gene transfer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a primary mode of disease transmission?

  1. Airborne

  2. Waterborne

  3. Vector-borne

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

Direct contact is not considered a primary mode of disease transmission as it involves physical contact between an infected individual and a susceptible host, rather than through an intermediate medium like air, water, or a vector.