Question
An infectious agent is: A place where microorganisms thrive and reproduce The way an organism moves from one place to another A microbial organism with the ability to cause disease An opening allowing the microorganism to enter the host
Answer
4.2
(192 Votes)
Katie
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
C
Explanation
The question is asking about the definition of an "infectious agent". Here are the explanations of each of the provided choices:"A place where microorganisms thrive and reproduce" - This is actually a very close description of a "reservoir", an important component of an infectious disease process, but it's not specifically discussing about the agent causing the disease. "The way an organism moves from one place to another" - This term is reflective of a "method of transmission", which gets a disease from one host to another, not the agent causing the disease itself. "A microbial organism with the ability to cause disease" - This one represents the correct definition for an infectious agent; it is a microorganism that has the potential to cause a disease. Infectious agents are often microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or fungi, but can also be another type of agent such as a prion, which is a misfolded protein type that translates signals incorrectly leading to diseases like Mad Cow Disease."An opening allowing the microorganism to enter the host" - Again, this is close but does not demonstrate the infectious agent. The entrance used by an infectious agent (pathogen) to invade the host organism is typically termed as an "infection route".