Final answer:
Anthrax and smallpox are examples of biological weapons as they can be used for bioterrorism due to their high mortality rates and potential to cause social panic, leading to their classification as 'category A' biological weapons by the CDC.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anthrax and smallpox are examples of biological weapons that are classified as such by the CDC.
Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is a deadly infectious disease with spores that can be inhaled, leading to serious infection. This bacterium has been deliberately used in bioterrorism, as seen in 2001 when spores were mailed to media outlets and U.S. Congress members, resulting in several fatal cases. Smallpox, caused by the variola major virus, was historically a devastating disease with high mortality rates but was eradicated from the general population in 1977 due to successful vaccination campaigns.
Both anthrax and smallpox have characteristics that make them potent agents for bioterrorism, such as high mortality rates, potential to cause social disruption and panic, and the necessity for special public health preparedness. These traits contribute to their classification as "category A" biological weapons by security agencies, including the CDC.