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Infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause disease. These agents are known for their ability to invade living organisms, such as humans, animals, and plants, and disrupt their normal functions. Here's how each option aligns with this concept:
A. Cause disease: This is correct. Viruses, bacteria, and fungi have the potential to cause various diseases in living organisms by infecting their cells and tissues.
B. Infect nonliving matter: This is incorrect. Infectious agents specifically target living organisms for replication and survival, as they require a host to multiply and spread.
C. Live for long periods of time outside of a host: This is incorrect. While some infectious agents can survive for a limited time outside of a host under specific conditions, they typically thrive and replicate within a living host.
D. All of these: The correct answer is indeed "OD. all of these" because infectious agents can cause disease, infect living matter, and require a host for their survival and reproduction.
Therefore, the accurate choice is OD. all of these, as viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause diseases in living organisms and need a host to survive and reproduce.
