The table lists the diseases of four patients and the cause of each disease as it relates to the patient. Diseases Among Four PatientsDiseaseCauseTrichinosisParasiteCystic fibrosisInherited genesChicken pox VirusScarlet feverBacteriaWhich term correctly classifies all four causes?

Each item in the table names a cause that can directly lead to the patient’s disease: a parasite, inherited genes, a virus, or bacteria. These are therefore classified as direct causes. “Pathogenic” applies to disease-causing organisms, not inherited genes, so it does not fit all four.

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