A student is learning about infections that can occur in the human body. Infections could be caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungus. The student learns about two infections, influenza and ringworm, and creates a table that describes the infections. Which of the following statements correctly describes Influenza, an infection caused by a virus? a Influenza is caused by a fungus, because it is a DNA genome. b Influenza is caused by a virus because it is a living infectious agent that invades a host cell. c Influenza is caused by a virus because it is a non-living infectious agent. d Influenza is caused by a bacterium because it is a non-living infectious and spreads by spores.

Answer 1

The correct statement that accurately describes Influenza, an infection caused by a virus, is:

b Influenza is caused by a virus because it is a living infectious agent that invades a host cell.

However, it's important to note that while viruses are considered infectious agents that invade host cells, they are often described as being non-living entities because they cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic processes on their own. So the more precise description should acknowledge this distinction, but based on the provided options, statement b is the closest correct answer.

The other options are incorrect:

• a is incorrect because influenza is not caused by a fungus and does not have a DNA genome (it has an RNA genome).
• c is misleading as it describes viruses as non-living but refers to something that is not fully accurate.
• d is incorrect as influenza is not caused by a bacterium and does not spread by spores.