In basic microbiology and human health, which type of micro organism causes viral diseases such as polio and chicken pox in humans?

Introduction / Context:
Many human diseases are caused by different groups of micro organisms, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, and algae. Correctly matching a disease with the type of pathogen that causes it is a fundamental skill in biology and general health awareness. This question focuses specifically on polio and chicken pox, two classic viral diseases.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Polio is a paralytic disease that historically caused outbreaks worldwide.
• Chicken pox is a common childhood disease characterized by itchy vesicular rash.
• The options list major groups of micro organisms: bacteria, protozoa, algae, viruses, and fungi.
• We assume standard textbook classification of infectious agents.

Concept / Approach:
Polio is caused by poliovirus, and chicken pox is caused by varicella zoster virus. Both are classic examples used in textbooks to illustrate viral infections. Bacteria cause diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera. Protozoa cause malaria and amoebiasis. Fungi cause ringworm, and algae rarely cause direct human disease. Therefore, the correct answer is the group viruses.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that polio isnormaly described as a viral disease prevented by oral polio vaccine and inactivated polio vaccine. Step 2: Remember that chicken pox is a viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets and contact with lesions. Step 3: Note that the causative agents of polio and chicken pox are poliovirus and varicella zoster virus respectively. Step 4: Compare this with the options and identify which group contains these agents. Step 5: Recognize that bacteria, protozoa, algae, and fungi are different kinds of organisms that do not include poliovirus or varicella zoster virus. Step 6: Conclude that polio and chicken pox are caused by viruses, so the correct option is virus.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by looking at vaccination programs. Polio vaccination campaigns are always described as immunization against a virus. Similarly, the chicken pox vaccine is classified as a viral vaccine. Laboratory tests that diagnose these conditions also detect viral particles or viral antigens, not bacteria or protozoa. This consistent labeling in public health, virology, and immunology confirms that these diseases are viral.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, bacteria, cause many important diseases but not polio or chicken pox. Option B, protozoa, include agents like Plasmodium species that cause malaria, not these disorders. Option C, algae, are mostly aquatic photosynthetic organisms and are not typical human pathogens. Option E, fungi, may cause skin and systemic infections such as ringworm and candidiasis but are not responsible for polio or chicken pox.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to associate all infectious diseases with bacteria because antibiotics are widely known, but antibiotics do not work against viruses. Students may also confuse chicken pox with smallpox or measles and forget that all three are viral. It is important to connect each disease name with its correct micro organism type for exam questions and for real life understanding of prevention and treatment.

Final Answer:
The micro organisms that cause polio and chicken pox are Virus particles, so the correct option is virus.