Which term describes organisms that can cause disease?

Which term describes organisms that can cause disease?

• A. Pathogens
• B. Antigens
• C. Hormones
• D. Enzymes

Answer: (A)

Pathogens are organisms that can cause disease. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. They cause illness by invading the body, damaging tissues, producing toxins, or triggering harmful immune responses that make you feel unwell. Antigens are substances that the immune system recognizes to mount a response, not disease-causing organisms themselves. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate body processes, and enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. So the term that specifically describes disease-causing organisms is pathogens.

Pathogens are organisms that can cause disease. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. They cause illness by invading the body, damaging tissues, producing toxins, or triggering harmful immune responses that make you feel unwell.

Antigens are substances that the immune system recognizes to mount a response, not disease-causing organisms themselves. Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate body processes, and enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. So the term that specifically describes disease-causing organisms is pathogens.