UPSC Prelims 2001 Q134: Science & Technology – Health & Diseases
“Athlete’s Foot” is a disease caused by
- (a) Bacteria
- (b) Fungus
- (c) Protozoan
- (d) Nematode
Answer: (b) Fungus
Explanation
Cause of Athlete's Foot
| Disease | Cause |
|---|---|
| Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) | Fungus — dermatophytes such as Trichophyton |
| Ringworm | Fungus (same group) |
| Typhoid / cholera | Bacteria |
| Malaria / filaria | Protozoan / nematode |
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin between the toes. It thrives in warm, damp places such as sweaty shoes and changing rooms, and is treated with antifungal creams.
Answer: (b) Fungus.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Athlete's foot is not bacterial.
- (b) CORRECT. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection.
- (c) Incorrect. Protozoa cause diseases such as malaria and amoebiasis.
- (d) Incorrect. Nematodes cause diseases such as filaria.
Key point
Other fungal diseases: ringworm, candidiasis, mucormycosis ('black fungus').
Remember
Athlete's foot = fungal (tinea pedis).
Common mistakes
- Thinking all skin infections are bacterial.
- Linking 'athlete' to an injury rather than an infection.
- Not knowing tinea infections are fungal.
Exam tip
'Tinea' and 'ringworm' in disease names point to fungi.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Biology, chapter 'Human Health and Disease'
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Fungal diseases: ringworm and athlete's foot