Texas FFA Livestock Judging PracticeTest

What disease is primarily caused by an organism affecting the lungs?

1. Pneumonia

2. Tuberculosis

3. Bronchitis

4. Influenza

The correct answer is: Tuberculosis

The correct answer is tuberculosis, which is primarily caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease specifically targets the lungs, leading to severe respiratory symptoms. Tuberculosis can cause lung lesions, persistent cough, chest pain, and can eventually progress to respiratory failure if left untreated. While pneumonia, bronchitis, and influenza also affect the respiratory system, they stem from different causes. Pneumonia is usually a result of viral, bacterial, or fungal infections leading to inflammation in the lung's air sacs; bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes and is often related to viral infections or smoking; and influenza is a viral infection that can lead to respiratory complications but is not caused by a bacterial organism specifically targeting the lungs like tuberculosis. Thus, tuberculosis stands out because it is indeed a disease directly linked to a specific micro-organism with a primary effect on lung health.