Biology · 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 evs production of food from animals dairy farm management cattle farming uses of animals contribution of louis pasteur discoveries by louis pasteur discovery of microorganisms

Select the viral disease of cattle.  

  1. foot and mouth disease of cattle

  2. anthrax

  3. aspergillosis

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

Foot and mouth disease is an infectious and fatal viral disease that affects domestic and wild cows. The viral causes, high fever for two to three days. It is a severe plague for animal farming.

Multiple choice evs production of food from animals dairy farm management cattle farming uses of animals contribution of louis pasteur discoveries by louis pasteur discovery of microorganisms

If a cattle is showing increased respiration and blood mixed foamy discharge from mouth, nose and anus, it is likely to be suffering from

  1. Rinderpest

  2. Mad cow disease

  3. Ranikhet

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

Anthrax is a fatal disease which commonly effects humans and cattle. It is caused by spores of bacteria Bacillus anthracis. These spores remain in soil for decades and are also found in bloody discharges of infected animals and can spread to other animals easily.

Clinical signs depend on species of cattle effected. If infection occurs through mouth or nose the symptoms are shown immediately and death occurs rapidly. If infection occurs through skin there will not be acute symptoms but later becomes generalized. If infection is less acute symptoms may be having difficulty in breathing, tremble, collapse and die. Nearby death blood oozes from openings of animal. When infection is localized to throat area, the neck swells and bloody discharge comes from mouth. 

So, the correct answer is 'Anthrax'.


Multiple choice evs production of food from animals dairy farm management cattle farming uses of animals contribution of louis pasteur discoveries by louis pasteur discovery of microorganisms

Anthrax is a serious disease of

  1. Cattle

  2. Poultry

  3. Fish

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

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. Domestic and wild animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, antelope, and deer can become infected when they breathe in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water. People get infected with anthrax when spores get into the body. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice evs production of food from animals dairy farm management cattle farming uses of animals contribution of louis pasteur discoveries by louis pasteur discovery of microorganisms

Put a tick mark against the correct alternative in the following statement:
Which one of the following is a viral disease of poultry?

  1. Ranikhet disease

  2. Cholera

  3. Coryza

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

  • Ranikhet disease is a disease caused by viruses. It is the most fatal disease of poultry. 
  • Cholera and coryza are bacterial diseases.
  • Aspergillosis is a fungal disease.
Hence, the correct answer is 'Ranikhet disease'

Multiple choice biology some common diseases diseases caused by protozoa protozoan disease protozoa: benefits and harmful effects

Taeniasis can be treated by 

  1. Penicillin

  2. Itraconazole

  3. Praziquantel

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

Taeniasis is an infection by the tapeworm, Taenia solium. It is caused by eating undercooked pork or contaminated food that contains tapeworm eggs or larvae which grow in the intestines when eaten. Praziquantel is the medication used to treat taeniasis because it is an antiworm medicine which prevents the growth and multiplication of worms inside the body. It increases the permeability of the membrane to calcium ions which induces contraction of the parasites, resulting in paralysis in the contracted state.

So, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

In which of the following disease, yellow pigmentation of skin is seen?

  1. Jaundice

  2. Chickenpox

  3. Plague

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

Jaundice is a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, the conjunctival membranes over the sclerae (whites of the eyes), and other mucous membranes caused by high blood bilirubin levels. This hyperbilirubinemia subsequently causes increased levels of bilirubin in the extracellular fluid. Concentration of bilirubin in blood plasma is normally below 1.2 mg/dL (<25µmol/L). A concentration higher than approx. 3 mg/dL (>50µmol/L) leads to jaundice.

Jaundice is often seen in liver disease such as hepatitis or liver cancer. It may also indicate leptospirosis or obstruction of the biliary tract, for example by gallstones or pancreatic cancer, or less commonly be congenital in origin.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

Epidemic jaundice can occur in which of the following conditions?

  1. Hepatitia A

  2. Hepatitia B

  3. Hepatitia C

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

Hepatitis A is a disease caused by infection from the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV has been called as epidemic hepatitis, epidemic jaundice, infectious hepatitis, catarrhal jaundice, HA and type A hepatitis in the past.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

Diarrhea can be caused by 

  1. Bacteria

  2. Virus

  3. Both A and B

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

Diarrhea is a condition that’s characterized by the appearance of loose, watery stools or a frequent need to have a bowel movement. Diarrhea can be related to a viral or bacterial infection, or it can be the result of food poisoning. Rotavirus, norovirus and adenovirus are the common viruses which causes diarrhea. Campylobacter, Shigella are the common bacterias which causes diarrhea. Hence option C is correct.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

Diarrhoea:: Constipation :: Enteritis:: 

  1. Diarrhoea

  2. Typhoid

  3. Tetanus

  4. Malaria
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • Diarrhoea is a condition in which faeces are discharged from the bowels frequently and in a liquid form. 
  • Diarrhoea is one of the most common health complaints. It can range from a mild, temporary condition, to a potentially life-threatening one. 
  • Most cases of diarrhoea are caused by an infection in the gastrointestinal tract. The microbes responsible for this infection include:
  1. bacteria
  2. viruses and
  3. parasitic organisms
So, the correct answer is 'diarrhoea'.
Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

The jaundice is a physiological liver disease. It is most commonly caused by a

  1. Bacterium

  2. Virus

  3. Both A and B

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

Jaundice is a disease which causes yellowing of skin and eyes which occurs due to the presence of the excess of pigment bilirubin. Pigment bilirubin is formed in the body as a result of the breakdown of worn out RBCs in the liver and is regularly excreted through kidneys. Jaundice occurs if the liver is not able to metabolize bilirubin and is caused by the virus. It can also lead to inflamed liver or obstructed bile duct. Too much bilirubin can leak into the tissues and causes yellowing of skin and eyes.

Thus, the correct answer is option B. 

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

Common enteritis infection in India occurs by

  1. Mosquito bite

  2. Viruses

  3. Ingesting cysts with food and drinks

  4. Eating spice rich food
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Enteritis is most often caused by ingesting cysts with food and drinks that are contaminated with the cyst of bacteria or viruses. The germs settle in the small intestine and cause inflammation and swelling.


So, the correct option is ' Ingesting cysts with food and drinks'.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

Microorganisms commonly causing diarrhoeal diseases are 

  1. Escherichia coli, Shigella, Campylobacter and Bacillus pertussis

  2. Clostridium tetani, Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, Salmonella, Shigella and Escherichia coli

  3. Escherichia coli, Giardia, Shigella, Campylobacter and Salmonella

  4. Neisseria, Treponema, Escherichia, Giardia, Shigella, Campylobacter and Salmonella
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Diarrhoea is a common symptom of gastrointestinal infections caused by a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and protozoa. However, just a handful of organisms are responsible for most acute cases of childhood diarrhoea.  Other major bacterial pathogens include E. coli, Shigella, Campylobacter and Salmonella, along with V. cholerae during epidemics.

So, the correct option is 'Option C'.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

When children play bare footed in pools of dirty water and flood water, they may suffer from diseases like

  1. Leptospirusis and bilharzia

  2. Malaria, amoebic dysentery and leptospirosis

  3. Bilharzia, infective hepatitis and diarrhoea

  4. Guinea worm infection, elephantiasis and amoebic dysentery
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When children play bare footed in pools of dirty water and flood water, they may suffer from diseases like Bilharzia, infective hepatitis and diarrhoea.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

Consider the statements.
A. 'Oral Rehydration Solution' (ORS) should be given to cholera or diarrhoea patients at regular intervals.
B. Poliovirus is transmitted through food or water and ultimately affect central nervous system.
C. E.coli and Shigella bacteria are responsible for diarrhoea disease.
D. Rhinoviruses are responsible for common cold.
The correct statements are

  1. A and D

  2. A and B

  3. A, C and D

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

Rehydration can be accomplished using solutions with higher sodium, i.e., 75-90 mmol/L. These are termed rehydration solutions (ORS). High sodium rehydrating solutions used to treat acute dehydration may be used for maintenance by giving the solution alternately on a 1-to-1 basis with a no-sodium or low-sodium fluid such as water or breast milk. Poliovirus is usually spread from person to person through infected faeces entering the mouth. It may also be spread by food or water containing human faeces and ultimately reaches the central nervous system (CNS). Virulent Escherichia coli strains cause either non inflammatory diarrhoea (watery diarrhoea) or inflammatory diarrhoea (dysentery with stools usually containing blood, mucus and leukocytes). Shigella is one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhoea worldwide. The characteristic clinical syndrome associated with rhinovirus infection is the common cold. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice evs science of kitchen balanced diet and malnutrition assimilation of food components and importance of food skeletal system and muscles assimilation of food and egestion busy at work - our internal organs

Two communicable diseases prevalent in developing countries caused by unsafe drinking water and bad sanitation are

  1. Acute diarrhoea and cancer

  2. Diarrhoea and schistosomiasis

  3. Onchocerciasis and leukaemia

  4. Rheumatism and malaria
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Schistosomiasis infection is acquired when people come into contact with fresh water infested with the larval forms of parasitic blood flukes, known as schistosomes. The microscopic adult worms live in the veins draining the urinary tract and intestines. Eggs from the mature worms are passed out (excreted) in the faeces or urine of an infected person. These eggs can get into fresh water if it is contaminated with human sewage. Symptoms can be bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, right upper quadrant pain, cramps.