Infection And Responce Flashcards
(40 cards)
What is a pathogen?
A microorganism that causes disease.
What are the four main types of pathogens?
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists.
How are pathogens spread?
Through air, water, direct contact, and vectors.
What is a communicable disease?
A disease that can be spread from one person to another.
What are bacteria?
Single-celled organisms that reproduce rapidly and produce toxins.
What are viruses?
Tiny pathogens that live inside cells and reproduce, damaging the cell.
Give an example of a bacterial disease.
Salmonella or gonorrhoea.
Give an example of a viral disease.
Measles, HIV or TMV (Tobacco Mosaic Virus).
Give an example of a fungal disease.
Rose black spot.
Give an example of a protist disease.
Malaria.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Fever and a red skin rash.
What can HIV lead to if untreated?
AIDS – where the immune system is badly damaged.
How is HIV transmitted?
Through blood, sexual contact or from mother to baby.
What are the symptoms of salmonella?
Fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
What is the treatment for bacterial infections?
Antibiotics.
Why don’t antibiotics work on viruses?
Viruses live inside cells, so antibiotics can’t reach them.
What is the role of the immune system?
To destroy pathogens and prevent illness.
What are white blood cells?
Cells that help defend the body against pathogens.
What are two ways white blood cells fight pathogens?
Phagocytes - engulf and destroy.
Lymphocytes - antibody production, and antitoxins released.
What is vaccination?
Injecting a dead or inactive pathogen to stimulate immunity.
How do vaccines work?
They trigger white blood cells to produce antibodies.
What is herd immunity?
When enough people are vaccinated, it helps protect those who aren’t.
What is antibiotic resistance?
When bacteria mutate and become resistant to antibiotics.
How can we reduce antibiotic resistance?
By not overusing antibiotics and finishing courses of treatment.
