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Module 4 - Biodiversity, evolution and disease > 4.1.1 Communicable diseases and disease prevention > Flashcards

4.1.1 Communicable diseases and disease prevention Flashcards

(54 cards)

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1
Q

What are communicable diseases?

A

Diseases that can be passed from one organism to another, caused by pathogens.

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2
Q

Define the term health.

A
  • Free from disease/illness
  • Physical, mental & social wellbeing
  • good nutrition
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3
Q

What is a pathogen?

A

A microorganism that causes disease.

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4
Q

Name the four types of pathogens

A

Baceria, Virus, Fungi & Protoctista

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5
Q

How do bacteria cause disease?

A

Produce toxins that damage body cells.

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6
Q

How do viruses cause disease?

A

Use host cells to replicate before burtsing out and destroying cells.

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7
Q

How do fungi cause disease?

A

Digest living cells to destroy them.
Some also produce toxins.

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8
Q

How do protoctists cause disease?

A

They take over cells and break them open

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9
Q

What is direct transmission of pathogens? Give 2 examples

A

Transfer from one organism to another without an intermediate.
Direct contact & Airborne droplets

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10
Q

What is indirect transmission?
Give 3 examples

A

Transfer using an intermediate.
Food & drinking water, Vectors and Contaminated objects

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11
Q

What three factors increase the risk of communicable diseases?

A
  • Living conditions - overcrowded area increase risk of direct transmission
  • Climate - e.g warmer .climates allow mosquitoes to breed at a much faster rate.
  • Social factors - e.g lack of health education and healthcare system, increase risk of communicable disease.
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12
Q

What pathogen causes Tuberculosis (TB)?

A

Bacterium

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13
Q

How is TB transmitted?

A

Droplets, coughing and sneezing

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14
Q

What organisms does TB affect and what is its effect on the body?

A

Human, cows & pigs
Damages lungs and supresses the ummune system.

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15
Q

How is HIV transmitted?

A

Exchange of bodily fluids.

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16
Q

What is the effect of HIV on the body?

A

Gradually destroys the immune system.

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17
Q

What pathogen causes influenza?

A

Virus.

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18
Q

How is influenza transmitted?

A

Airborne droplets
Contaminated objects

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19
Q

What is the effect of influenza on the body?

A

Kills ciliated epithelial cells in the gas exchange system: trachea, bronchi, bronchioles

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20
Q

What pathogen causes Athlete’s foot?

A

Fungi

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21
Q

How is Athlete’s foot transmitted?

A

Contaminated objects

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22
Q

What pathogen causes Malaria?

23
Q

How is Malaria transmitted?

Study These Flashcards
A

Vector - mosquito

24
Q

What is the effect of Malaria on the body?

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A

Damages the red blood cells, liver an brain.

25
What pathogen causes **ring rot** in potatos and tomatos?
Bacteria
26
What effect does ring rot have on the plant?
Damages the leaves, tubers and fruit.
27
What pathogen causes Tobacco mosaic virus?
Virus
28
What effect does TMV have on the plant?
Damages leaves, flowers anf fruits
29
What pathogen causes **Black Sigatoka** in bananas?
Fungus
30
What effect does black sigatoka have on the banana plant?
Attacks and destroys leaves, turning them black.
31
What pathogen causes potato/tomato **late blight**?
Protoctista
32
What effect does late blight have on the plant?
Destroys leaves, tubers and fruit
33
How does soil contamination spread disease in plants?
Infected plants leave pathogens or spores in the soil ready to infect other plants.
34
Dsecribe 4 types of plant disease vectors.
1. **Wind** - bacterial, viral or fungal spores carried by the wind 2. **Water** - Spores can travel on surafe of water 3. **Animals** - insects and birds can carry pathogens or spores from one plant to another 4. **Humans** - handling plants, clothing, farming tools and practices.
35
Describe 4 factors that increase the risk of communicable diseases in plants.
1. **Crop variety** - some crops are more suceptible to disease 2. **Overcrowding** - direct contact 3. **Mineral nutrition** - poor nutrition reduces resistance of plants to disease 4. **Climate change** - increased rainfall and wind.
36
What are the two main types of plant defence?
Physical and Chemical
37
Describe 3 **physical** defences.
1. **Waxy cuticles** - provides a physical barrier against pathogens 2. **Cell walls** - another physical barrier against pathogens 3. **Production of Callose** - deposited between cell wall and cell surface membrane during attack, to make it harder for pathogens to enter cells
38
Describe 4 **chemical** plant defences.
1. **Insect repellents** - reduce no. of insects feeding on plants 2. **Insecticides** - kill insects 3. **Antibacterial substances** - some produce anitiobiotics 4. **Toxins** - chemical in some plants can break down into cyanide
39
What are the two types of immunity?
* **Active Immunity** * **Passive Immunity**
40
What is the difference between active and passive immunity?
* Active Immunity: Involves the production of antibodies by the immune system after exposure to a pathogen. It provides **long-term** protection through **memory cells**. * Passive Immunity: Involves the transfer of antibodies from **another organism**. It provides **immediate but short-term** protection because **no memory cells** are produced.
41
How does vaccination help the body develop immunity?
Vaccination introduces antigens into the body, stimulating the primary immune response. This leads to the production of **antibodies and memory cells**, providing long-term immunity.
42
What are the common components found in vaccines? (name two)
* Dead or inactive pathogens * Weakened pathogen strains * Isolated antigens from a pathogen * Genetically engineered antigens.
43
What is **herd immunity** and how does it work?
Herd immunity occurs when a **large proportion** of the population is **immune** to a disease, either through vaccination or prior infection. This **reduces the spread** of disease, protecting individuals who cannot be vaccinated (e.g., those with compromised immune systems).
44
List factors that contribute to a successful vaccination programme.
* **Availability** and **affordability** of vaccines * **Minimal side effects** * Proper **infrastructure** for production and storage * Trained healthcare workers for **administration** * Achieving **herd immunity** through widespread vaccination
45
Why might vaccines not completely eliminate a disease?
* **Weak immune responses** in certain individuals (e.g., elderly, immunocompromised) * Antigenic variability of pathogens (**mutations**) * Pathogen **hiding** inside cells or hard-to-reach body parts * Vaccine **refusal** due to personal, ethical, or religious objections
46
What is **antigenic variability** and how does it affect vaccines?
Pathogens change their surface antigens, making them unrecognizable to the immune system. Vaccines need to be regularly updated.
47
What are **antibiotics** and how do they work?
Drugs that kill or inhibit growth of bacteria by targeting their enzymes and ribosomes involved in metabolic processes.
48
Give 3 ways antibiotics can affect bacteria.
* Inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis * Disrupt cell membrane proteins * Prevent DNA or protein synthesis
49
Why are antibiotics ineffective against viruses?
Viruses relys on host cells to carry out metabolic reactions. They also invade the organisms's cell, so the antibiotics are unable to reach them.
50
How does **antibiotic resistance** arise in bacterial populations?
**Natural Selection** 1. Genetic mutations occur, making some bacteria resistant to an antibiotic. 2. When an infection is treated with antibiotics, resistant bacteria are able to survive. 3. Resistant bacteria reproduce, passing on the allele for antibiotic resistance to their offspring.
51
How can we reduce antibiotic resistance?
* Choosing **appropriate** antibiotics for treatment * Use **narrow-spectrum** antibiotics * Only prescribe antibiotics **when needed** * Ensure patients complete the **full course** * Avoid the use of antibiotics in **agriculture**.
52
Give examples of medicines from natural sources.
1. Pencillin - an antibiotic extracted from a type of mould 2. Aspirin - a painkiller based on compound from willow bark 3. Digitalis - a medicine extracted from foxglove plants
53
What is personalised medicine?
Medicine tailored to an individual’s DNA to **increase effectiveness** and **reduce side effects.**
54
Define the term parasite

Module 4 - Biodiversity, evolution and disease (4 decks)

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