12.2 Animal And Plant Diseases

Question 1

Ring rot

Answer 1

Bacterial disease. Damages leaves, tubers & fruit. Infects fields, cannot be planted in again for at least 2 years

Question 2

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)

Answer 2

Virus infecting tobacco plants and ~150 other species. Stunts growth, reduces yield. Can lead to total crop loss

Question 3

Potato blight

Answer 3

Caused by protocist. Penetrates host cells. No cure but restraint strains do exist. Chemical treatments can reduce risk

Question 4

Black sigatoka

Answer 4

Banana disease caused by fungus. Turns leaves black, causes a 50% reduction in yield. Fungicide can control the spread but there is no cure

Question 5

Tuberculosis (TB)

Answer 5

Bacterial disease. Damages and destroys lung tissue and suppresses the immune system. Causes immunocompromisation. It is curable by antibiotics and preventable by vaccination, in humans

Question 6

Bacterial meningitis

Answer 6

Bacterial infection of the meninges. Can poison blood and cause rapid death. Curable by antibiotics if delivered early. Vaccination exists

Question 7

HIV/AIDS

Answer 7

Targets T helper cells. Causes immunocompromisation. No vaccine or cure.

Question 8

Influenza

Answer 8

Viral infection of the ciliated epithelial cells in the gas exchange system. Kills them. Constantly evolving strains, no absolute cure

Question 9

Malaria

Answer 9

Caused by protocista. Spread by infected mosquitos. Invades erythrocytes, the liver and brain. No vaccine and limited cures. Insecticides can kill the vector

Question 10

Ring worm

Answer 10

Fungal disease. Causes grey crusty infectious circular Arras of skin. Can be itchy, not severely damaging. Can be cured by antifungal creams.

Question 11

Athlete’s foot

Answer 11

Human fungal disease. Causes cracking and scaling on feet. Creates itchiness and may become sore. Antifungal creams are an effective cure