Medicine And Disease Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is a carcinogen?
A substance that causes cancer or significantly increase the risk of developing cancer
What is ionising radiation?
Radiation with enough energy to ionise molecules and potentially cause mutation and cancer
What is a correlation
A link or relationship between two factors
What is a casual mechanism
Something that explains how one factor influences another
What is a risk factor
A characteristic, condition or behaviour that increases the possibility of disease or injury
What is a tumour
A mass of abnormally growing cells
What is a benign tumour
A growth of abnormal cells contained within a membrane and not spreading to other parts of the body
What are malignant tumour cells ?
A growth of abnormal cells that can spread around the body
What is cancer
A malignant tumour invading neighbouring tissues and spreading around the body
Name four causes of cancer
Genetics, mutation, ionising radiation and viruses
What are two ways cancer is treated
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy
How does your skin prevent infection ?
By acting as a barrier, secreting antimicrobial substances and being a host to friendly microorganisms
What is mucus
A sticky liquid that traps pathogens and particles
What are cilia
Tiny hair-like projections that waft mucus up to the back of the throat where it is swallowed
How does your stomach prevent infection
It produces hydrochloric acid that destroys microorganisms
Name three ways white blood cells protect you
Ingesting microorganisms, producing antibodies, producing antitoxins
What is an antigen
A foreign molecule that produces an immune response
What is an antibody
A protective molecule that targets antigens
What is an antitoxin
A protective molecule that targets toxins
What is a vaccine
Dead or inactive pathogenic material used to develop immunity in a healthy person
What is herd immunity
The reduction of risk to an infectious disease due to existing immunity in a population
What is antibiotic resistance
The ability of some bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics
What is mutation
A change in the genetic material of an organism
What is MRSA
An antibiotic-resistant bacteria species
