Final answer:
A genetic disease differs from an infectious disease in that the former is caused by DNA mutations and is hereditary while the latter is caused by pathogens and is communicable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best description of how a genetic disease differs from an infectious disease is: b) Genetic diseases are hereditary and caused by mutations in an individual's DNA, while infectious diseases are caused by pathogens like bacteria or viruses.
Genetic diseases are typically inherited or result from mutations in the DNA, and they can include a range of conditions such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and certain cancers. These diseases do not spread from person to person but are passed down through genes or can arise spontaneously as new mutations.
In contrast, infectious diseases are caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. They can spread directly or indirectly from one person to another. Examples include the flu, measles, tuberculosis, and gonorrhea. These diseases are often communicable and contagious, with some being more easily transmitted than others.