What are the three basic groups of biological threats?

What are the three basic groups of biological threats?

• A. Bacteria, viruses and toxins
• B. Bacteria, viruses and fungi
• C. Bacteria, viruses and parasites
• D. Bacteria, viruses and metals

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that biological threats are categorized into three broad groups: living infectious agents and harmful biological products. Bacteria and viruses are classic living agents that cause disease, multiplying in or destroying host cells. Toxins are hazardous substances produced by organisms or by biological processes that can cause severe illness or death without requiring infection by a living agent. Including bacteria, viruses, and toxins covers both living pathogens and non-living yet dangerous biological materials, which is the framework used in many safety and public health contexts. Fungi and parasites are also biological threats, but they aren’t grouped with toxins in this three-category scheme, and metals aren’t biological threats.

The main idea is that biological threats are categorized into three broad groups: living infectious agents and harmful biological products. Bacteria and viruses are classic living agents that cause disease, multiplying in or destroying host cells. Toxins are hazardous substances produced by organisms or by biological processes that can cause severe illness or death without requiring infection by a living agent. Including bacteria, viruses, and toxins covers both living pathogens and non-living yet dangerous biological materials, which is the framework used in many safety and public health contexts. Fungi and parasites are also biological threats, but they aren’t grouped with toxins in this three-category scheme, and metals aren’t biological threats.