Pathogen Case Studies

Question 1

Prions

Answer 1

• One of the smallest pathogens
• Rarest category of pathogen
• Non-living, non-cellular
• Caused by protein misfolding
• Animal disease example: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Question 2

Virus

Answer 2

• One of the smallest pathogens
• Non-living, non-cellular
• RNA or DNA wrapped in a protein coat
• Animal disease example: COVID-19

Question 3

Bacteria

Answer 3

• Larger than prions and viruses
• Living, cellular - prokaryotic
• Often includes flagellum
• Animal disease example: Tuberculosis

Question 4

Protists

Answer 4

• Larger than bacteria
• Living, cellular - Eukaryotic
• Animal disease example: Malaria

Question 5

Fungi

Answer 5

• Larger than bacteria
• Living, cellular - Eukaryotic
• Includes cell wall
• Plant disease example: Panama disease

Question 6

Macropathogen

Answer 6

• Multicellular
• Eukaryotic
• Parasitic animals living inside (endoparasite) or outside (ectoparasite) host
• Animal disease example: Gastrointestinal worms (endo), tick (ecto)