Pathogens and Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What causes communicable diseases?
Pathogens: bacteria, viruses, protoctista and fungi
What are examples of bacterial infections
Tuberculosis
Bacteria meningitis
Ring rot
What is tuberculosis?
- A bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Can affect Humans, Deers, Cows, Pigs and Badgers
- Causes harm by damaging lung tissue and suppressing the immune system
- Cured using antibiotics and through vaccination
What is bacterial meningitis?
- Caused by the bacterium streptococcus pneumoniae
- infects the brain
- Severe and can even cause death
- some forms can be vaccinated for
- Antibiotics can cure but not if too much damage has been done
What is ring rot (plants)?
- Caused by the bacterium clavibacter michiganensis
- Infects potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines
- Gram positive bacteria that damage leaves, tubers and fruit
What are viruses?
Non living and acellular
smaller then bacteria
Consist of DNA or RNA, a capsid and attachment proteins
Viral replication occurs inside host cells
What is HIV/AIDS?
Structure: capsid, core, envelope and protein attachments
HIV is when a person is infected with the HIV virus
AIDS is when the replicating viruses in the T cells interferes with the immune system
What is Influenza?
A viral infection which infects ciliated cells
can kill the cells which can lead to secondary infections
What is TMV?
Infects mainly tobacco plants
Causes damage to leaves resulting in a mosaic pattern
No cure but there are resistant strains which have been developed
What is a protist/protoctista?
Eukaryotes - single celled or grouped in a colony
Are parasites and are transmitted via vectors
What is malaria?
Caused by plasmodium - spread to humans by mosquitos
Infect red blood cells, the liver and the brain
There are preventative measures however there is no cure or vaccine
What is potato blight?
Protist infection which has hyphae which enters the plants damaging the leaves and fruit
No cure but resistant strains have been made
What is a Fungi?
Eukaryotes - mainly cause plant diseases
Parasitic and release enzymes which break down tissue
What is black siggatoka?
Fungal infections in bananas
Hyphae damage the leaves, causing them to turn black and prevent plant growth
Can be killed by fungicides and resistant banana strains have been made
What is ringworm?
A fungal infection which infects mammals
Causes itching and discomfort
As well a ring shaped patch of scaly skin
