Question

Read the following statements and from the options given below choose the correct one.

Statement 1: Deadly pathogens are used as bioweapons by the terrorists
Statement 2: Spores of Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax and was used as a bioweapon

• A. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1
• B. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct but statement 2 is not the correct explanation of statement 1
• C. Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect
• D. Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1

Biological weapons are biological organisms or substances derived from them which can be used to kill, harm or disable plants, animals and humans.
With the advancements in the field of biotechnology, creation of potentially virulent organisms or highly toxic biomolecules has become one of the major concerns in the modern world.
Organisms like Bacillus anthracis, smallpox virus, HIV can be potentially used as bioweapons due to their highly fatal effects on living organisms. For example, the spores of Bacillus anthracis was used as a bioweapon as these spores can cause fatal infection upon inhalation, skin contact, ingestion or injections. The spores are not readily detected when they are airborne. Upon inhalation, they affect the lungs and multiply in blood, gradually travelling to the lymph nodes and releasing toxins which lead to death.