B5-Communicable Diseases Flashcards
(87 cards)
what are pathogens
Pathogens = disease-causing microoganisms
what does communicable diseases mean
Communicable diseases = infectious diseases = these can be passed from one person to another
what does non-communicable diseases mean
Non-communicable diseases = diseases that cannot be transmitted from one person to another
what affects disease and illnesses
Diet = without the right nutrients you can get diseases like starvation, anaemia or rickets (deficiency of vitamin d - sunlight). Too much food can lead to obesity, cancers or Type 2 diabetes
Stress = Too much stress is linked with some cancers, heart disease and mental health problems
Life situations:
Part of the world you live in
Gender
financial status
ethnic group
levels of free healthcare
number of children
local sewage and rubbish disposal
what are the types of pathogens
Types of pathogens: Bacteria, Virus, Fungi (pl of fungus), Protists
how can communicable diseases be caused
Communicable diseases can be caused either directly by the pathogen, OR by toxins made by the pathogen
what is bacteria
Bacteria = unicellular organisms that are much smaller than animal and plant cells
what are viruses
Viruses are even smaller than bacteria, have regular shapes and cause disease in every living organism
how do bacteria divide
Bacteria divide by splitting into two, in a process called binary fusion
how do bacteria affect your body
Bacteria affects your body in one of two ways:
produces toxins that affect your body and make you feel ill
directly damage and destroy your cells
give an example of disease spreading through Air for animals and plants
Air - this includes droplet infection - for human diseases, you expel tiny droplets full of pathogens from your respiratory system when you cough, sneeze or talk - others then breathe these in from the air
what are ways in which disease can spread from one to another
Air, direct contact and water
give an example of disease spreading through direct contact for animals and plants
Direct contact - common in plants, when a tiny piece of infected plant material left in a field infects a new crop. In people, STDs. Some pathogens can enter through sexual contact, cuts, scratches and needle punctures that give access to blood. Animals can act as vectors of plant and animal diseases. Vector = carrier for the disease
give an example of disease spreading through water for animals and plants
Water - fungal spores in splashes of water can spread plant diseases. Humans: eating raw, undercooked or contaminated food
what can cause disease to spread more rapidly
Living in crowded conditions can cause disease to spread rapidly
how do viruses live and reproduce
Viruses take over cells - they live and reproduce in them, damaging and destroying them
what are common symptoms of communicable disease
Common symptoms of communicable diseases are: Fever, headache, rash, cough
what is a group of bacteria called
a group of bacteria is called a colony
what do you need to culture micro-organisms
to culture micoorganisms, you provide a culture medium, warmth and oxygen –> normally you use agar gel - a nutritious culture medium for bacteria
what is important to prevent when culturing bacteria
It is important to prevent contamination when culturing bacteria!!
To avoid this, all equipment, and work surfaces are sterilised
why is bacteria kept at 25degrees Celsius and not 37
Cultures have to be at 25degrees celsius –> you have to make sure the temperature is not near 37degrees so that even you culture some harmful pathogens, they won’t survive in the body
what is growth of bacteria affected by
Growth rate of bacteria is affected by: temperature, pH, available nutrients and O2 levels
what are ways to drastically prevent growth of bacteria
Ways to prevent the growth of bacteria: drastically raise or lower the temperature
what is the difference between disinfectant, antiseptic and antibiotic
- Disinfectant - kills bacteria in the environment around - NOT USED ON THE BODY
- Antiseptic - kills bacteria - safe to use ON the skin but not IN the body
- Antibiotic - kills bacteria INSIDE the body