Question:easy
Which of the following causes Tetanus?
Which of the following causes Tetanus?
Show Hint
The organism responsible is Clostridium tetani, which lives in soil and enters the body through wounds.
Updated On: Jul 15, 2026
- Bacteria
- Virus
- Fungi
- None of the above
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks which broad category of microorganism, bacteria, virus, or fungi, is responsible for tetanus.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Recall the specific organism behind tetanus, then place it into the correct microbial category rather than guessing from the disease name alone.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Tetanus is traced to Clostridium tetani, a rod shaped organism that is classed as a bacterium. Its spores survive for long periods in soil and animal manure and can enter the body through a deep cut, puncture wound, or burn.
Once inside a wound with little oxygen, the spores germinate and the bacteria release tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin that interferes with the nerves controlling muscles. This is what produces the severe, often fatal, muscle rigidity associated with the disease, sometimes called lockjaw because it commonly starts by locking the jaw muscles.
Since viruses cause different illnesses such as flu or measles, and fungi cause skin and other infections unrelated to nerve toxins, both of those options and "none of the above" can be ruled out.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Tetanus is caused by bacteria, specifically Clostridium tetani.
The question asks which broad category of microorganism, bacteria, virus, or fungi, is responsible for tetanus.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Recall the specific organism behind tetanus, then place it into the correct microbial category rather than guessing from the disease name alone.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Tetanus is traced to Clostridium tetani, a rod shaped organism that is classed as a bacterium. Its spores survive for long periods in soil and animal manure and can enter the body through a deep cut, puncture wound, or burn.
Once inside a wound with little oxygen, the spores germinate and the bacteria release tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin that interferes with the nerves controlling muscles. This is what produces the severe, often fatal, muscle rigidity associated with the disease, sometimes called lockjaw because it commonly starts by locking the jaw muscles.
Since viruses cause different illnesses such as flu or measles, and fungi cause skin and other infections unrelated to nerve toxins, both of those options and "none of the above" can be ruled out.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Tetanus is caused by bacteria, specifically Clostridium tetani.
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