Question

An ___ organism is usually nonpathogenic, but it can become pathogenic under certain circumstances such as when host health is compromised, when there is a reduction of normal flora, or if it gets into a different part of the body.

a) Opportunistic
b) Invasive
c) Pathogenic
d) Resistant

Answer 1

An organism that is usually nonpathogenic but can become pathogenic under certain conditions, such as compromised host health or disruption of normal flora, is an 'opportunistic' organism. The correct answer is: a) Opportunistic.

Step-by-step explanation:

An opportunistic organism is usually nonpathogenic, but it can become pathogenic under certain circumstances such as when host health is compromised, when there is a reduction of normal flora, or if it gets into a different part of the body. Answer: a) Opportunistic.

Pathogens can be classified as either primary pathogens or opportunistic pathogens. A primary pathogen can cause disease in a host regardless of the host's resident microbiota or immune system. However, an opportunistic pathogen can only cause disease in situations that compromise the host's defenses, such as breaks in the body's protective barriers, weakened immune system, or disruptions in normal microbiota. Conditions that can predispose an individual to infections by opportunistic pathogens include extreme ages (very young or elderly), pregnancy, chemotherapy, immunodeficiencies like AIDS, post-surgery recovery, and injuries that breach protective barriers.