# Vector

An animal that carries a pathogen from one host to another without usually being harmed itself.

Biology (school) · Part 04: Health and disease · Card 3 of 10 · Last updated 2026-10-19

## Analogy

A delivery driver carrying a harmful package.

## In practice

The female Anopheles mosquito spreads the malaria protist when she bites.

## Practice

### Flashcards

- **What is a vector?** An organism that spreads a pathogen, such as a mosquito spreading malaria.

## Questions people ask

### Why is malaria hard to control?

Malaria is spread by mosquitoes, which breed in standing water and are hard to remove completely. The malaria protist also changes form, which makes a vaccine harder to design. Control relies on bed nets, insecticides, draining pools and drugs for treatment and prevention.

### Is a vector the same as a pathogen?

No. The pathogen is the microorganism that causes the disease, such as the malaria protist. The vector is the animal that carries it between hosts, such as a mosquito. Removing the vector can stop the disease from spreading even if the pathogen is still around.

## Related concepts

- [Pathogen](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-4/biology-school-part-4-concept-1)
- [Communicable disease](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-4/biology-school-part-4-concept-2)
- [Non-communicable disease](https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-4/biology-school-part-4-concept-10)

Web page: https://studyvisually.com/learn/science/biology-school/biology-school-part-4/biology-school-part-4-concept-3
Study this card in the app: https://studyvisually.com/app/learn?category=biology-school&card=biology-school-part-4-concept-3