Question

How do vectors transmit pathogens?

Answer 1

Pathogens:

1. Pathogens are the microorganisms that cause the disease.
2. Some diseases are caused or spread by carrier organisms called vectors.
3. They carry the disease-causing pathogens and hence spread the disease.
4. Many disease-causing organisms complete their life cycle in two hosts.

1. One host is the human in which they cause the disease and the other host is the vector.
2. It should be noted that the pathogen does not cause the disease in the vector organism.

When this vector bites or comes in contact with a human they transmit the pathogen to the human.

For example-

1. Malaria is transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. It is caused by a protozoan organism called Plasmodium.
2. Here the female Anopheles mosquito is a vector and carries the malarial parasite Plasmodium in its salivary gland.