Tetanus is a disease caused by a toxin produced by which type of organism?

Tetanus is a disease caused by a toxin produced by which type of organism?

• A. Virus
• B. Bacteria
• C. Fungus
• D. Parasite

Answer: (B)

Tetanus is a toxin-mediated disease caused by a toxin produced by bacteria. The responsible organism is Clostridium tetani, a spore-forming bacterium that thrives in low-oxygen environments such as deep wounds. The toxin, tetanospasmin, travels to the nervous system and blocks the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA and glycine, leading to unchecked motor activity and the characteristic muscle stiffness and spasms. The illness arises from the toxin’s effects rather than from the bacteria themselves spreading in bodily tissues, which is why the type of organism is identified as bacteria. Viruses don’t produce this toxin, fungi can produce other toxins but not the tetanus toxin, and parasites do not cause this mechanism.

Tetanus is a toxin-mediated disease caused by a toxin produced by bacteria. The responsible organism is Clostridium tetani, a spore-forming bacterium that thrives in low-oxygen environments such as deep wounds. The toxin, tetanospasmin, travels to the nervous system and blocks the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA and glycine, leading to unchecked motor activity and the characteristic muscle stiffness and spasms. The illness arises from the toxin’s effects rather than from the bacteria themselves spreading in bodily tissues, which is why the type of organism is identified as bacteria. Viruses don’t produce this toxin, fungi can produce other toxins but not the tetanus toxin, and parasites do not cause this mechanism.