Which statement about nonpathogenic bacteria is true?

Which statement about nonpathogenic bacteria is true?

• A. They do not cause disease
• B. They always cause disease
• C. They are viruses
• D. They are a type of fungus

Answer: (A)

Nonpathogenic bacteria are bacteria that do not cause disease in a healthy host. The word “nonpathogenic” literally means not disease-causing, so these microorganisms can live on or in us without harm and are often part of the normal flora. They help maintain balance in our ecosystems, and they don’t typically trigger illness unless the person’s defenses are overwhelmed or the environment changes in a way that allows disease to occur. This is why the statement that they do not cause disease is true. They are not viruses; viruses are different types of microbes that require living cells to replicate and can cause disease. They are also not fungi; fungi are a separate group of organisms with different cellular structure. So, the other choices don’t fit because they mischaracterize what nonpathogenic bacteria are or how they behave.

Nonpathogenic bacteria are bacteria that do not cause disease in a healthy host. The word “nonpathogenic” literally means not disease-causing, so these microorganisms can live on or in us without harm and are often part of the normal flora. They help maintain balance in our ecosystems, and they don’t typically trigger illness unless the person’s defenses are overwhelmed or the environment changes in a way that allows disease to occur. This is why the statement that they do not cause disease is true.

They are not viruses; viruses are different types of microbes that require living cells to replicate and can cause disease. They are also not fungi; fungi are a separate group of organisms with different cellular structure. So, the other choices don’t fit because they mischaracterize what nonpathogenic bacteria are or how they behave.