Why Does It Take More Than a Week Before a Mosquito

question 39

Multiple Choice

Why does it take more than a week before a mosquito just 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)Yellow fever is caused by a protozoan.It must develop from the sporozoite form into the mature form to become infectious,and this takes time.
• D)The virus multiplies in the gut of the mosquito,but then needs to migrate to the proboscis (biting nose)of the animal in order to infect a new human being after a new bite.This migration takes time.

---

Definitions:

Mushroom

A type of fungus characterized by a cap and stem, with many species producing edible or medicinal fruiting bodies.

Herbivore

Primary consumer in a grazing food chain; a plant eater.

Plant Foods

Edible parts of plants, including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds, that are consumed by humans and other herbivores.

Detritus-Feeders

Organisms that feed on dead organic material, contributing to decomposition and nutrient cycling.