B6 - Preventing and Treating Disease Flashcards
1
Q
How does vaccination work
A
- Dead or inactive forms of a pathogen are injected into the body
- White blood cells are then stimulated to produce antibodies against pathogens
- White blood cells then are duplicated by mitosis to make memory cells
- If the pathogen is reintroduced to the body, the memory cells can provide a rapid immune response + increase of antibodies to help kill it is quick and there are lots more antibodies
2
Q
What is herd immunity and why is it important
A
- Where a large proprotion of the population is immune to a disease
- This reduces the spread of pathogens and protects those who may not have been vaccinated
3
Q
First antibiotic discovered
A
Pencillin
4
Q
What do antibiotics do
A
Kill BACTERIA inside the human body without harming human cells
5
Q
What is antibiotic resistance and why was it caused
A
- Where certain antibiotics are no longer effective against some bacteria
- Caused by overuse of antibiotics
- Bacteria had then evolved to be resistant
6
Q
How is anitibiotic resistance prevented
A
- Not used to treat viral infections - viruses are inside human cells so can’t be killed by antibiotics (only use when necessary)
- USing specific antibiotics for specific bacteria (narrow spectrum)
- High hygiene levels in hospitals
7
Q
Role of painkillers and common examples
A
- Treat the symptoms of a disease by relieving pain
- They don’t kill pathogens
- Examples - aspirin, paracetomol
8
Q
Where do digitalis and digoxin originate from and what are they used for
A
- Extracted from the foxglove plant
- Used to treat heart conditions
9
Q
Where does aspirin originate from and what is it used for
A
- Extracted from the willow tree
- Used as a painkiller
10
Q
Where are drugs discovered from
A
- Plants
- Microorganisms e.g. Penicllium
- Synthesised in chemists
11
Q
Why is drug testing done
A
- Toxicity - is it safe for humans, side effects
- Efficacy - is it effective
- Dosage - how much is a safe amount to use
12
Q
First stage of drug trials
A
- Preclinical testing
- Not carried out on humans as it could be very toxic
- Carried out of cells, tissues or small animals
13
Q
Second stage of drug trials
A
- Clinical testing - done on humans
- First step - low doses to check drug is safe in humans (healthy volunteers)
- Then optimal dose is found (double blind trials) - best dose with fewest side effects
14
Q
How to set up a double blind trial
A
- Control gender, age and other factors
- Split into two groups, one with new drug (test group) and one with placebo drug (control group)
- Neither the patients or the doctors know which group has the new drug to avoid bias
- Results are then collected and peer reviewed by other scientists to avoid false claims e.g. due to drug company wanting to make more money
15
Q
What is an monoclonal antibody
A
An antibody specific to the shape of a single antigen protein
This means they can target specific cells
