Arizona Esthetics State Board Practice Exam

What term is used to describe one-celled microorganisms that can be either disease-producing or non-disease-producing?

1. Bacteria

2. Viruses

3. Fungi

4. Parasites

The correct answer is: Bacteria

The term that describes one-celled microorganisms, which can be either disease-producing or non-disease-producing, is bacteria. Bacteria are extremely diverse and can be found in virtually every environment on Earth, including soil, water, and within the bodies of animals and humans. While some bacteria are pathogenic and can cause infections or diseases, many others are beneficial and play crucial roles in processes such as digestion and the production of certain foods. For instance, probiotics are a type of beneficial bacteria that aid in maintaining gut health. This dual nature of bacteria—being capable of both causing disease and promoting health—makes the term particularly fitting. Viruses, on the other hand, are not classified as cells and require a host organism to replicate, making them fundamentally different from bacteria. Fungi encompass a broader category of organisms, including molds, yeasts, and mushrooms, which are typically multicellular but can be unicellular in some cases. Parasites, in contrast, are organisms that live on or inside a host, causing harm as they rely on the host for survival.