Radiologic Rockstar 2025: Ace the ARRT Exam and Shine Bright!

The term that describes the transmission of infection by insects, such as ticks or mosquitoes, is "vector." This is because vectors are organisms that carry and transmit infectious pathogens to other living organisms, often without suffering from the disease themselves. In the context of ticks and mosquitoes, these insects can carry diseases like Lyme disease or malaria, respectively, and spread them through their bites.

The other terms relate to different concepts in the transmission of disease. A carrier typically refers to an individual or organism that harbors a pathogen without showing symptoms, capable of spreading the infection to others. A pathogen is the actual microorganism, such as a virus or bacterium, that causes disease. Finally, a fomite is an inanimate object or surface that can carry infectious agents, such as doorknobs or utensils, rather than a living creature like an insect. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the field of epidemiology and public health.