Biology · 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

SARS is a respiratory disease caused by a

  1. bacterium

  2. fungus

  3. virus

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

SARS is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. Symptoms usually occur about 2 to 10 days after coming in contact with the virus.

Multiple choice

Which of the following diseases is also known as Japanese encephalitis?

  1. Diabetes

  2. Diarrhoea

  3. Brain fever

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

  Japanese encephalitis is brain fever. In this disease, there is an inflammation in the brain tissue and hence, it is called “encephalitis” [“cephalic” refers to brain and “encephalitis” means swelling of brain tissues].

Multiple choice

How do children in India get exposed to hepatitis–A virus?

  1. From water

  2. From air

  3. From physical contact

  4. From the infected mother
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

When water sources, including private wells, are contaminated with faeces from infected humans, the water will spread the hepatitis A virus to others who drink this water. The virus can enter water supplies through sewage overflows or from broken sewage systems. This virus cannot travel through air and also does not spread by physical contact. An infected mother also cannot pass it on.

Multiple choice

_________ diseases generally cause prolonged poor health.

  1. Acute

  2. Chronic

  3. Infectious

  4. Non-infectious
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(a) Acute diseases: These diseases are severe, but short-spanned and get less time to cause prolonged poor health. (b) Chronic diseases: These diseases last for longer periods of time and take sufficient time to affect different parts of the body and lead to a poor health, which recovers after a long time. (c) Infectious diseases: These diseases spread from a diseased person to a healthy person due to the transmission of disease-causing organisms (for example, common cold). (d) Non-infectious diseases: These diseases do not spread from one person to another. For example, heart ailment, cancer, etc. They are not caused by infectious agents. The causative agents of these diseases are internal factors. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'vector' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. channel

  2. carrier

  3. portal

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

Vectors are disease carrying insects like fly and mosquito.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'foetus' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. juvenile

  2. embryo

  3. adolescent

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

Foetus is an unborn child.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'intoxicated' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. smashed

  2. sober

  3. inebriated

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

'Intoxicated' means under the influence of alcohol or drugs, typically to the point of impaired judgment or coordination. 'Inebriated' is a formal synonym specifically referring to being drunk. 'Sober' is the opposite, 'excited' means emotionally stimulated, and 'smashed' is informal slang for drunk.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'hypersensitive' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. touchy

  2. fastidious

  3. exasperated

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

Hyper is excessive.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'degenerative' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. basic

  2. depraving

  3. deteriorating

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

'Degenerative' in medical context refers to diseases that progressively worsen or cause deterioration over time. 'Deteriorating' captures this meaning of gradual decline or worsening condition. 'Destroying' is too strong and immediate, 'basic' means fundamental, and 'depraving' means morally corrupting, which is unrelated to disease progression.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'agency' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. group

  2. society

  3. carrier

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

The passage explains that non-communicable diseases cannot be transmitted through any 'agency' - meaning a medium or agent that carries infection. In this context, 'carrier' is the best synonym for agency as it refers to something that can carry and transmit disease-causing pathogens. Other options like 'group,' 'society,' or 'outfit' don't fit the medical context of disease transmission.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace ‘pathogens’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. pests

  2. germs

  3. poisons

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

Pathos is 'suffering'; pathogens are 'disease causing germs'.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'hallucinations' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

Communicable diseases: These diseases are caused by pathogens, which include bacteria, viruses, protozoa etc. and are readily transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact or through a vector. The infection may also spread through air, water, milk, food or pass across the placenta from the mother into foetus.
Non-communicable diseases: Also called non-infectious or degenerative diseases, the non-communicable diseases are not transmitted by contact with the person suffering from the disease or any other agency.
Allergy: Allergy is any condition in which a person reacts in a hypersensitive manner to any substance.
Alcoholism: Addiction to alcohol or its repeated use is called alcoholism.
When a person drinks an excess of alcoholic beverage at one time, he is likely to become intoxicated.
Drug Abuse: LSD is an example of hallucinogenic drugs, so called because it gives rise to dramatic hallucinations.

  1. dreams

  2. mirages

  3. deliriums

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

Hallucinations and deliriums are delusions.

Multiple choice

Mad cow disease is due to

  1. virions

  2. prions

  3. bacteria

  4. fungus

  5. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mad cow disease is caused by a misfolded protein called prions.