Pathogens can be transmitted through contact with surfaces like doorknobs and countertops.
a. true
b. false

The answer is a. True.

Some pathogens can be transmitted through direct contact with infected person, and some pathogens can be spread through contact with surfaces like doorknobs and countertops. For example, an infected person can touch these surfaces and leave behind pathogens. When an uninfected person touches the surfaces and then touches its skin, the pathogens are transmitted to that person. Staphylococci are the commonly transmitted this way.