Disease Terms

Question 1

Pathogenic

Answer 1

An organism that causes damage to its host

Question 2

Infectious

Answer 2

A disease that may be transmitted from one individual to another

Question 3

Carrier

Answer 3

Shows no symptoms when infected but can pass diseases onto another

Question 4

Disease reservoir

Answer 4

Where a pathogen is normally found; may be in humans of another animal, and may be source of infection

Question 5

Endemic

Answer 5

A disease which is always present at low levels in an area

Question 6

Epidemic

Answer 6

Significant increase in usual number of cases of a disease, often associated with a rapid spread

Question 7

Pandemic

Answer 7

A global epidemic

Question 8

Vaccine

Answer 8

Uses non pathogenic forms, products or antigens of micro organisms to stimulate an immune response, which confers protection against subsequent infections

Question 9

Antibiotic

Answer 9

Substances produced by microorganisms that affect the growth of other microorganisms

Question 10

Antibiotic resistance

Answer 10

Where a microorganisms which should be affected by an antibiotic is no longer susceptible to it

Question 11

Antigen

Answer 11

A molecule that causes an immune response

Question 12

Antibody

Answer 12

A protein produced by the immune system to recognise and destroy antigens

Question 13

Vector

Answer 13

Living organism which transfers a disease from one individual to another

Question 14

Toxin

Answer 14

A chemical produced by a microorganism which causes damage to its host

Question 15

Antigenic type

Answer 15

Organisms with the same or very similar antigens on the surface. Such types are subgroups or strains of a microbial species, which may be used to trace infections. Usually identified using antibodies from serum