Chapter 1 Self-test questions

. Approximately how many people on the planet are killed by infectious diseases every year?

5 million

10 million

15 million

20 million

. How far back can we trace the fossilised remains of microorganisms?

1.5 billion years

3.5 billion years

5.5 billion years

There is no trace of microorganisms in the fossil record.

. What is a vector, in the context of infectious disease?

An agent which carries or spreads an infection, often referring to insects such as mosquitos.

A disease which is spread by droplets from coughing and sneezing.

An infection which originates in an animal.

A disease spread from humans to animals.

. What is an epidemic?

A widespread outbreak of a disease.

An outbreak of infectious disease which is fatal to those it infects.

An outbreak of infectious disease spread from humans to animals.

An infectious disease which affects a small population.

. What were the four humours used by various ancient civilizations to describe causes of disease?

Black bile, phlegm, blood, and pus.

Black bile, phlegm, faeces, and green bile.

Vomitus, phlegm, blood, and green bile.

Black bile, phlegm, blood, and green bile.

. What does the act of quarantine involve?

Isolating healthy people to prevent them from catching a disease.

Isolating infected people to prevent them from spreading disease.

Isolating people at risk of becoming infected because of pre-existing health problems.

Exposing people to infectious diseases to boost their immunity.

. When were microorganisms first visualised using microscopy?

1576

1676

1776

1876

. Which scientist developed an experiment disproving the theory of spontaneous generation?

Van Leeuwenhoek.

Redi.

Pasteur.

Semelweiss.

. Which substance did Lister use to pioneer antiseptic surgery?

Iodine.

Saline.

Acetic acid.

Carbolic acid.

. What are Koch's postulates?

A set of rules explaining how to identify microorganisms.

A set of rules setting out how to grow microorganisms in the laboratory.

A set of rules to help work out if a microorganism is the cause of a particular disease.

A set of rules on how to maintain a sterile environment in the laboratory.

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