Question

Which lethal pathogen cannot be disinfected with standard methods?

A) Fungi, because they exist in multiple forms
B) Viruses, because they can be airborne
C) Gram-positive bacteria, because they have a thick cell wall
D) Prions, because they are not cells and do not contain DNA

Answer 1

Prions are the pathogens that cannot be disinfected with standard methods because they are not cells and lack DNA, making them exceptionally resistant to standard disinfection techniques.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lethal pathogen that cannot be disinfected with standard methods is prions, because they are not cells and do not contain DNA. Unlike bacteria, fungi, and viruses, prions are proteinaceous infectious particles that lack nucleic acids and therefore standard disinfection methods designed to target genetic material are ineffective against them. Prions cause diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and are known for their resistance to standard disinfection techniques, including heat, radiation, and chemicals that would normally denature proteins. They cannot be easily destroyed or deactivated, making them particularly dangerous and challenging to control.