Infection and Response (Hard Topics) Flashcards
(31 cards)
What do bacteria produce that can damage tissues and make us feel ill?
Poisons (toxins)
Toxins can disrupt normal cellular functions and lead to illness.
How do viruses cause damage to the body?
They live and reproduce inside cells, causing cell damage
Viral replication often leads to the destruction of the host cell.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Fever and a red skin rash
Measles can lead to severe complications and is preventable through vaccination.
How is the measles virus spread?
By inhalation of droplets from sneezes and coughs
This mode of transmission makes measles highly contagious.
What initial symptoms does HIV cause?
A flu-like illness
Early symptoms can be mild and may go unnoticed.
What happens if HIV is not controlled with antiretroviral drugs?
It attacks the body’s immune cells, leading to AIDS
AIDS occurs when the immune system is severely damaged.
How is HIV primarily spread?
By sexual contact or exchange of body fluids such as blood
Sharing needles among drug users also facilitates transmission.
What is Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)?
A widespread plant pathogen affecting many species, including tomatoes
TMV causes a distinctive mosaic pattern on leaves that affects plant growth.
What causes Salmonella food poisoning?
Bacteria ingested in food or on food prepared in unhygienic conditions
Common symptoms include fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
Thick yellow or green discharge and pain on urinating
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a bacterium.
How was gonorrhoea traditionally treated?
With the antibiotic penicillin
Resistance has emerged, complicating treatment.
What is Rose black spot?
A fungal disease where purple or black spots develop on leaves
It reduces photosynthesis and is spread by water or wind.
What are some treatments for Rose black spot?
Using fungicides and/or removing and destroying affected leaves
Effective management is essential for plant health.
Why is it difficult to develop antiviral drugs?
They may damage the body’s tissues
Targeting viruses without harming host cells is a significant challenge.
Where do traditional drugs often originate from?
Plants and microorganisms
Many modern drugs are derived from these natural sources.
What is the origin of the heart drug digitalis?
From foxgloves
Digitalis is used to treat various heart conditions.
What is the origin of the painkiller aspirin?
From willow
Aspirin is widely used for pain relief and anti-inflammatory purposes.
Who discovered penicillin?
Alexander Fleming
Penicillin revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections.
What process do new medical drugs undergo before use?
They are tested and trialled for safety and efficacy
This is crucial to ensure that drugs do not have harmful side effects.
What is preclinical testing?
Testing done in a laboratory using cells, tissues, and live animals
It assesses the initial safety and biological activity of a drug.
What are clinical trials used for?
To test drugs on healthy volunteers and patients
These trials help establish the drug’s safety and optimal dosing.
What happens in double blind trials?
Some patients are given a placebo
This helps to eliminate bias in the results.
List some uses of monoclonal antibodies.
- For diagnosis (e.g., pregnancy tests)
- In laboratories to measure hormone levels
- In research to identify specific molecules
- To treat some diseases, including cancer
Monoclonal antibodies can deliver targeted therapies or diagnostics.
What are some side effects of monoclonal antibodies?
They create more side effects than expected
This has limited their widespread application.
