Immunology and disease

Question 1

Define a pathogen

Answer 1

An organism or paticle which transfers a disease from one organism to another, causing damage to its host.

Question 2

Define infectious

Answer 2

A disease which may be transmitted from one person to another

Question 3

Define a carrier

Answer 3

Organism which shows no symptoms when infected but can pass the disease on to another. (asymptomatic)

Question 4

Define a disease reservoir

Answer 4

Location where the pathogen is usually found. e.g humans are a disease reservoir for malaria and TB

Question 5

Define an endemic

Answer 5

A disease in always present at low levels in an area

Question 6

Define an epidemic

Answer 6

significant and rapid increase in the number of cases of a disease, often associated with rapid spread.

Question 7

Give some examples of epidemics.

Answer 7

Ebola outbreak (2014, West Africa), Yellowfever, smallpox, West Nile Fever.

Question 8

Define a pandemic

Answer 8

A rapid increase in the number of cases of a disease across a global area. e.g covid 19, H1N1 flu pandemic.

Question 9

What is a vaccine, how does it work?

Answer 9

Uses non-pathogenic forms or antigens from microorganisms to trigger an immune response, which means protection against subsequent infection.

Question 10

Define a Vector

Answer 10

A living organism which transfers a disease from one individual to another. (e.g anopheles mosquito is the vector for malaria.

Question 11

Define antibiotic

Answer 11

Substance produced by a microorganism that affects the growth of other microorganisms.

Question 12

Define antibiotic resistance

Answer 12

When a micro-organsim that should be affected by a microorgansim is no longer susceptible to it.