Question

Identify the type of factor (environmental, pathogen, or genetic) or combination of factors that causes each of the following diseases: Cystic fibrosis, Allergies, the common cold, Skin cancer, and Malaria.

Answer 1

Allergies are caused by environmental factors known as allergens like dust, pollen, ceramics etc.

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder.

Common cold is caused by viruses i.e. pathogen.

Skin cancer is caused due to genetic factors like mutations & also, due to exposure to UV radiation.

Malaria is caused by a pathogen named as Plasmodium. Female Anopheles mosquito is the carrier of plasmodium. The plasmodium completes half of its life cycle in Female Anopheles mosquito & its rest of the life cycle is completed in human body.