(P) Bacteria (i) Malaria
(Q) Virus (ii) Tuberculosis
(R) Protozoa (iii) Influenza
(S) Autoantibodies (iv) Myasthenia gravis
(A) P-ii, Q-i, R-iii, S-iv
(B) P-ii, Q-iii, R-i, S-iv
(C) P-iv, Q-iii, R-i, S-ii
(D) P-i, Q-iv, R-ii, S-iii
Correct Answer: (B) P-ii, Q-iii, R-i, S-iv
Tuberculosis arises from bacteria, influenza from viruses, malaria from protozoa, and myasthenia gravis from autoantibodies. This matching aligns Group I agents with their corresponding Group II diseases based on established causative relationships.
Group I-II Matches
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(P) Bacteria → (ii) Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium, causes tuberculosis by spreading through airborne droplets and infecting lungs.
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(Q) Virus → (iii) Influenza: Influenza viruses (types A, B) target respiratory cells, leading to flu symptoms via hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins.
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(R) Protozoa → (i) Malaria: Plasmodium species (e.g., P. falciparum), protozoan parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, cause malaria.
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(S) Autoantibodies → (iv) Myasthenia gravis: Autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors disrupt neuromuscular junctions, causing muscle weakness.
Option Analysis
Option (A) mismatches Q with malaria (protozoan, not virus) and R with influenza (viral, not protozoan).
Option (B) correctly pairs each agent: bacteria-TB, virus-influenza, protozoa-malaria, autoantibodies-myasthenia gravis.
Option (C) incorrectly links bacteria to myasthenia gravis (autoimmune) and protozoa to TB (bacterial).
Option (D) wrongly assigns bacteria to malaria and virus to myasthenia gravis.
In CSIR NET Life Sciences preparation, mastering causative agents matching—like bacteria with tuberculosis, virus with influenza, protozoa with malaria, and autoantibodies with myasthenia gravis—builds strong foundations in microbiology and immunology. This question tests pathogen-disease links crucial for exams.
Causative Agents Explained
Bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis cause tuberculosis via lung infection. Viruses like influenza A/B trigger respiratory illness. Protozoa (Plasmodium) drive malaria cycles in humans. Autoantibodies target neuromuscular proteins in myasthenia gravis.
Exam Tips for Matching
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Recall: TB (bacterial), flu (viral), malaria (protozoan), MG (autoimmune).
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Eliminate mismatches early, e.g., no virus causes malaria.
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Practice similar CSIR NET questions on pathogen classification.
