adaptations to facilitate transmission

• • Reservoirs: sites where pathogens can remain dormant for long periods such as in soil or water. Can survive in multiple conditions
• • Use of vectors: increases efficiency and provides a living organism for pathogens to replicate
• • Rapid species evolution: high rates of mutation and reproduction allowing rapid evolution
• • Protective coverings: allow longer survival outside host cells through various conditions and may help them enter the host cells
• • Bacterial capsules, viral envelopes, fungal spores have hardy coats
• • Build up of excess mucous: causes coughing and sneezing which helps clear the respiratory tract and spreads the disease such as bacteria and viruses
• • Motility structures: allow to travel long distances like fimbria, flagella