Which statement best describes a pathogen?

Which statement best describes a pathogen?

• A. A pathogen can cause disease in humans
• B. Pathogens are non-living agents
• C. Pathogens only include viruses
• D. Pathogens are beneficial in all cases

Answer: (A)

Pathogens are any living organisms or non-living agents that can cause disease in a host. In humans this includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions. The best statement is that a pathogen can cause disease in humans because that describes the core function of pathogens—triggering illness. The other options miss this by restricting what pathogens are (some are living, some aren’t; they’re not limited to viruses) or by asserting something false (they are not beneficial in all cases; pathogens are associated with disease).

Pathogens are any living organisms or non-living agents that can cause disease in a host. In humans this includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions. The best statement is that a pathogen can cause disease in humans because that describes the core function of pathogens—triggering illness. The other options miss this by restricting what pathogens are (some are living, some aren’t; they’re not limited to viruses) or by asserting something false (they are not beneficial in all cases; pathogens are associated with disease).