Why Does It Take More Than a Week Before a Mosquito

question 34

Multiple Choice

Why does it take more than a week before a mosquito that has just become infected with yellow fever virus can transmit the disease?

• A) The virus must replicate in the gut of the mosquito before it can reach high enough numbers for transmission to a new human.
• B) Mosquitoes only feed once a week, which limits their ability to transmit the disease rapidly.
• C) Mosquitoes that acquire yellow fever virus become ill for a week thereafter. They have to recover before they can feed again and transmit the virus to the next host.
• D) The virus multiplies in the gut of the mosquito, but then needs to migrate to the mouth of the insect in order to infect a new human being after a new bite. This migration takes time.
• E) The mosquito actually transmits the virus almost immediately. It takes a week for the virus to multiply in the gut of the host before it causes any ill effects in that host.

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Definitions:

Beta Rhythms

Brain waves that are associated with active, alert cognition and wakefulness, typically occurring in a frequency range of 12–30 Hz.

Respiration

The physiological process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide from the body, essential for maintaining life.

Hypnosis

A trance-like state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, often used for therapeutic purposes.

Suggestible

The quality of being inclined to accept and act on the suggestions of others, often leading to increased susceptibility to influence.