Biosafety level

High school (ages 12+)
Safety & Emergency

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/biosafety-level

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is a biosafety level?Biosafety levels are secret codes that tell scientists how to keep germs safe in labs. They are numbered from BSL‑1 to BSL‑4, with higher numbers for more dangerous germs. Each level has special rules for safety equipment and building design.
2. Why do labs use different biosafety levels?Labs use different biosafety levels because germs vary in how dangerous they are. The level chosen depends on how easily the germ can spread, how sick it can make people, and whether it can be caught in the air. This helps keep scientists, the public, and the environment safe.

Pathogenicity: The ability of a microorganism to cause disease.
Biosecurity: Measures to prevent the theft, loss, or misuse of biological materials.
Aerosol Transmission: The spread of disease through tiny droplets suspended in the air.