Nonpathogenic refers to microorganisms that

Nonpathogenic refers to microorganisms that

• A. Cause disease
• B. Do not produce disease
• C. Are always bacteria
• D. Are always viruses

Answer: (B)

Nonpathogenic means not disease-causing under normal conditions. Pathogenic organisms cause illness, so a nonpathogenic microorganism is one that does not produce disease in a typical healthy host. These organisms can be harmless or even beneficial, and they aren’t limited to a particular type (bacteria or viruses)—the term can apply to various kinds of microorganisms. While in rare cases a normally nonpathogenic organism might cause disease in a compromised host, the core idea is that it does not typically cause disease.

Nonpathogenic means not disease-causing under normal conditions. Pathogenic organisms cause illness, so a nonpathogenic microorganism is one that does not produce disease in a typical healthy host. These organisms can be harmless or even beneficial, and they aren’t limited to a particular type (bacteria or viruses)—the term can apply to various kinds of microorganisms. While in rare cases a normally nonpathogenic organism might cause disease in a compromised host, the core idea is that it does not typically cause disease.