________ is a microorganism that causes disease in personnel, plants or animals, or causes the deterioration of material.

________ is a microorganism that causes disease in personnel, plants or animals, or causes the deterioration of material.

• A. Biological weapon
• B. Chemical weapon
• C. Radiological dispersal device
• D. Biological agent

Answer: (D)

The term that fits this description is biological agent. A biological agent is any microorganism (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi) or toxin that can cause disease in people, plants, or animals, or that can deteriorate materials. The focus here is on the entity itself, not how it’s used. A biological weapon would refer to the use or deployment of such an agent to cause harm, not the agent itself. Chemical weapon involves toxic chemicals, not living organisms; a radiological dispersal device involves radioactive material. So the best fit is biological agent.

The term that fits this description is biological agent. A biological agent is any microorganism (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi) or toxin that can cause disease in people, plants, or animals, or that can deteriorate materials. The focus here is on the entity itself, not how it’s used. A biological weapon would refer to the use or deployment of such an agent to cause harm, not the agent itself. Chemical weapon involves toxic chemicals, not living organisms; a radiological dispersal device involves radioactive material. So the best fit is biological agent.