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How can bacteria and other microorganisms enter the body?
Through broken skin
Through intact skin
By airborne transmission
Via oral ingestion
The correct answer is: Through broken skin
Bacteria and other microorganisms can enter the body primarily through broken skin because any disruption in the skin's integrity creates an opportunity for pathogens to invade. The skin acts as a vital barrier against infections, and when it is cut, scraped, or punctured, it can allow bacteria, viruses, and fungi from the environment or on the skin's surface to enter the body, potentially leading to infections. This route of entry is particularly significant in clinical and cosmetic settings, where procedures involving the skin are common, underscoring the importance of maintaining sterile techniques and protecting open wounds. While intact skin serves as a formidable barrier against most microorganisms, it is important to note that certain pathogens can penetrate the skin through hair follicles or sweat glands, but this is less common than through broken skin. Airborne transmission is another route for microorganisms to enter the body, typically through inhalation of pathogens present in the air, but this does not pertain to entry through the skin. Oral ingestion provides a different pathway, allowing microorganisms to enter through the gastrointestinal tract rather than through the skin. Therefore, broken skin represents a significant and direct means for the entry of microorganisms into the body.