Microbes and disease Flashcards
(7 cards)
How do white blood cells fight infection?
They are attracted towards the infective agents, then surround and engulf them. Once inside the cell, these white cells then release chemicals that break the organism down and destroy it. Other white cells, called lymphocytes, target attacks in another way, by making antibodies.
Why does it take time to recover from an infection?
-The immune system has to find and destroy the pathogens.
-The body needs to repair any damaged cells or tissues caused by the infection which uses up energy and nutrients. The body needs time to recover its strength.
-When a new microbe invades the body, it takes a couple of days to make antibodies.
How can you improve health?
To maintain good health:
Eat a well balanced diet
Exercise regularly
Reduce stress
Seek medical help for mental or physical difficulties
Avoid smoking
Drink alcohol in moderation only
What are the connections between bacterial reproduction and antibody manufacture that explain immunity to further infection?
When bacteria enter the body, they reproduce quickly, increasing the number of harmful microbes.
The immune system responds by making antibodies that match the bacteria.
These antibodies help destroy the bacteria and stop the infection. After the infection is gone, memory cells stay in the body.
If the same bacteria enter again, these cells make antibodies much faster, stopping the infection before it makes you ill — this is called immunity
How do antibiotics work?
Antibiotics disrupt essential processes or structures in the bacterial cell. This either kills the bacterium or slows down bacterial growth.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines work by imitating an infection to engage the body’s natural defences. Vaccines help the body learn how to defend itself from disease without the dangers of a full-blown infection.
