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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a pathogen that could not be identified by the original Koch's postulates?
A
Fungi
B
Protozoa
C
Bacteria
D
Viruses
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand Koch's postulates: They are a set of criteria established by Robert Koch to identify the causative agent of a particular disease. The original postulates require that the microorganism be isolated from a diseased organism and grown in pure culture.
Consider the nature of viruses: Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they cannot grow or reproduce outside a host cell. This makes it impossible to culture them in the same way as bacteria, fungi, or protozoa.
Analyze why viruses do not fit Koch's postulates: Since viruses cannot be grown in pure culture without a host, they cannot fulfill the requirement of being isolated and cultured independently, which is a key step in Koch's postulates.
Compare with other pathogens: Fungi, protozoa, and bacteria can generally be isolated and cultured in a laboratory setting, allowing them to meet the criteria set by Koch's postulates.
Conclude that viruses are the exception: Due to their unique characteristics and dependence on host cells for replication, viruses are the type of pathogen that could not be identified using the original Koch's postulates.