Communicable Diseases

Question 1

What is a communicable disease?

Answer 1

A disease that can be passed from one organism to another, caused by a pathogen.

Question 2

Name four types of pathogens.

Answer 2

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protoctists (protists).

Question 3

What type of pathogen causes malaria?

Answer 3

Protist (Plasmodium species).

Question 4

How is malaria transmitted?

Answer 4

By the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito (vector).

Question 5

What type of pathogen causes bacterial meningitis?

Answer 5

Bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis or Streptococcus pneumoniae).

Question 6

What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis?

Answer 6

Fever, headache, stiff neck, and sometimes a purple rash.

Question 7

What type of pathogen causes HIV/AIDS?

Answer 7

Virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

Question 8

How is HIV transmitted?

Answer 8

Through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.

Question 9

What type of pathogen causes tuberculosis (TB)?

Answer 9

Bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

Question 10

How is tuberculosis spread?

Answer 10

Airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Question 11

What type of pathogen causes Ringworm?

Answer 11

Fungus (Trichophyton species).

Question 12

What are the symptoms of Ringworm?

Answer 12

Circular areas of red, itchy, inflamed skin.

Question 13

What type of pathogen causes influenza?

Answer 13

Virus (influenza virus).

Question 14

How is influenza spread?

Answer 14

Through airborne droplets, direct contact, and surfaces.

Question 15

What type of pathogen causes athlete’s foot?

Answer 15

Fungus (Trichophyton rubrum).

Question 16

How can athlete’s foot be prevented?

Answer 16

Keep feet clean and dry, avoid sharing footwear or towels.

Question 17

What is the difference between direct and indirect transmission?

Answer 17

Direct is physical contact; indirect involves a vector, air, water, or surfaces.

Question 18

What is a vector in disease transmission?

Answer 18

An organism that carries and transmits a pathogen to another organism.

Question 19

What type of pathogen causes TMV (Tobacco Mosaic Virus)?

Answer 19

Virus

Question 20

What are the symptoms of Tobacco Mosaic Virus?

Answer 20

Mottling and discoloration of leaves, stunted growth due to reduced photosynthesis

Question 21

How is TMV spread?

Answer 21

Direct contact and through contaminated tools

Question 22

What type of pathogen causes Rose Black Spot?

Answer 22

Fungus

Question 23

What are the symptoms of Rose Black Spot?

Answer 23

Purple or black spots on leaves, yellowing leaves, reduced growth due to less photosynthesis

Question 24

How is Rose Black Spot spread?

Answer 24

Water (rain splash), wind, contaminated tools

Question 25

How can Rose Black Spot be controlled?

Answer 25

Fungicides, removing and destroying infected leaves

Question 26

What type of pathogen causes Crown Gall disease?

Answer 26

Bacteria

Question 27

What are the symptoms of Crown Gall?

Answer 27

Tumour-like swellings (galls) usually near the root or stem

Question 28

How is Crown Gall spread?

Answer 28

Through soil, contaminated tools, or infected plants

Question 29

What type of pathogen causes Late Blight in potatoes and tomatoes?

Answer 29

Protist (Phytophthora infestans)

Question 30

What are the symptoms of Late Blight?

Answer 30

Brown patches on leaves, white fuzzy growth under leaves, rotting tubers

Question 31

How is Late Blight spread?

Answer 31

Water and wind (especially in wet conditions)

Question 32

Name a general physical defence in plants against pathogens.

Answer 32

Waxy cuticle, cell walls, bark

Question 33

Name a general chemical defence in plants against pathogens.

Answer 33

Antimicrobial compounds, enzymes like chitinase or glucanase

Question 34

How can farmers prevent the spread of plant diseases?

Answer 34

Crop rotation, resistant varieties, disinfecting tools, controlling vectors