can be defined as microorganisms that are capable of causing diseases.
A Pathogens
B Plasmids
C Microbes
D Virulence factors
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Pathogens.
Explanation:
Pathogens are microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that are capable of causing diseases in their host organisms. These disease-causing organisms have the ability to invade host tissues, evade the host’s immune defenses, and cause harmful effects that lead to disease. Pathogens are typically characterized by their ability to disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to illness. They may enter the body through various routes such as inhalation, ingestion, sexual contact, or breaks in the skin.
Microorganisms, in general, are tiny organisms that can exist in various environments and may or may not cause disease. While all pathogens are microorganisms, not all microorganisms are pathogens. Many microbes, like those found in the human gut, are beneficial and contribute to health by helping with digestion or protecting against harmful microbes.
Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA found in bacteria and are not inherently harmful. They often carry genes that can give bacteria resistance to antibiotics or other traits, but they themselves are not pathogens.
Virulence factors are molecules produced by pathogens that contribute to the pathogenicity or severity of the disease. These factors enable the pathogen to infect a host, evade its immune system, or spread to other parts of the body. While important to the action of a pathogen, virulence factors are not microorganisms themselves but attributes of pathogens that enhance their disease-causing potential.
In summary, pathogens are specifically those microorganisms capable of causing disease, and the other terms (plasmids, microbes, and virulence factors) refer to different biological concepts related to microorganisms but not directly to those that cause disease.