The spread of pathogens from one surface to another is called what?

• A. Contamination
• B. Infection
• C. Cross-contamination
• D. Cross-infection

Answer: (C)

The main idea tested is how pathogens move between surfaces, which is cross-contamination. This term describes transferring bacteria, viruses, or other microbes from a contaminated surface (like a cutting board, knife, or counter) to food, utensils, or hands, creating a new source of contamination. Contamination simply means something is contaminated but doesn’t necessarily involve that transfer between surfaces or objects. Cross-infection refers to the spread of pathogens between people or within a person, often in healthcare settings, and infection is the illness that can result from exposure, not the act of transferring contaminants between surfaces. For example, using the same cutting board for raw chicken and then vegetables without cleaning can cause cross-contamination.