A commensal bacteriumA) does not receive any benefit from its host. B) is beneficial to its host. C) may also be an opportunistic pathogen. D) isnt capable of causing disease in its host. E) always causes disease in its host.

Question

Carina Ochoa

Biology

13 June, 10:47

A commensal bacteriumA) does not receive any benefit from its host. B) is beneficial to its host. C) may also be an opportunistic pathogen. D) isnt capable of causing disease in its host. E) always causes disease in its host.

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Answers (1)

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Isabella Callahan · Answer 1

The right answer is C) may also be an opportunistic pathogen

Explanation:

A commensal bacteria can be a part of the normal microbiota of the body which gains nutrition from its host without harming the host. These bacteria do not harm the body and occupy the space in the body so do not allow pathogenic microbes to occupy the space and grow.

Our immune system control the population of these commensal bacteria and when the immune system of the body declines these commensal bacteria can increase in number and can cause disease. Therefore commensal microorganisms can also become an opportunistic pathogen.

For example, Streptococcus pyogenes is a commensal bacteria which is found in the nose of many humans and is the main cause of strep throat.