Infection and response

Question 1

What is a pathogen?

Answer 1

They are microorganisms that enter the body and cause communicable disease.

Question 2

What are communicable diseases?

Answer 2

Diseases that can spread.

Question 3

What are the four main types of pathogens?

Answer 3

Bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi.

Question 4

How are pathogens spread?

Answer 4

WATER - some pathogens can be picked up by drinking or bathing in dirty water.

AIR - pathogens can be carried in air and breathed in. Some pathogens are carried in droplets in the air when you cough or sneeze.

DIRECT CONTACT - some pathogens can be picked up by touching the surfaces they are on (e.g. skin)

Question 5

How do you prevent or reduced the spread of pathogens?

Answer 5

Being hygienic - for example washing your hands before you make food.

Destroying vectors - vectors are organisms that spread disease. Killing them helps to stop the disease from being passed on. Vectors that are insects can be killed using insecticides. Their habitats can also be destroyed so they can’t breed.

Isolating infected individuals - keeping people who are infected away from others so it can’t spread.

Vaccination -