Which of the Following Sets of Characteristics Describes the Highest

question 41

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sets of characteristics describes the highest level of threat potential from biological weapons?

• A) a microbe that can be introduced into food during packaging and withstands refrigerator temperatures but not typical cooking temperatures
• B) a waterborne toxin that is easily introduced into public water supplies and does not replicate in humans
• C) a pathogen of livestock transmitted by contact with infected animals but not infected people
• D) a pathogen of wheat that could be delivered using crop dusters
• E) a human pathogen easily produced as an aerosol and transmissible by respiratory aerosols

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Definitions:

Beta Particle

An electron or positron, characterized by its high speed and energy, released by an atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay.

Gamma Ray

High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by atomic nuclei during radioactive decay, with higher energy than X-rays.

Radiation Sickness

A serious illness caused by excessive exposure to ionizing radiation, affecting the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and bone marrow.

Radioactivity Emissions

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation, including alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.