Microorganisms Flashcards
(11 cards)
What are pathogens?
Microorganisms causing infectious diseases.
What are 4 types of pathogens?
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Viruses
How do viruses harm you?
They hijack a cell and trick it to reproduce using the virus DNA. When there are enough, they break out to invade other cells.
How do bacteria harm you?
They reproduce and make toxins to make you feel unwell.
How can disease be transmitted?
Through air, direct contact, unhygienic food preparation, vectors (bugs like mosquitoes) or water.
What is a ciliated epithelial cell?
It has tiny hairs to move mucus into the throat instead of the lungs. It is found in airways. When people smoke, it can damage the cilia (tiny hairs) which allows mucus to build up in the lungs.
What is a root hair cell?
This cell is found on plant roots underground. It helps gather nutrients from the soil. It has an extended surface area to absorb more food.
What does a red blood cell do?
It helps transport oxygen around the body for respiration. It contains haemoglobin (a type of protein) and has no nucleus. It is found in the blood of all animals.
What is a sperm cell?
It contains the father’s genes and attempts to fertilise an egg cell to make an embryo. It has a tail to increase its speed and the father’s DNA. It is found in the testes after puberty.
What is an egg cell?
It is a cell found in the ovaries which can be fertilised by a sperm cell to make an embryo. The nucleus contains genetic material for fertilisation and reproduction.
What is a nerve cell?
It is a cell to carry messages from the brain through electric signals to instruct your body to move. It has a fatty (myelin) sheath (coating) to help the signals travel faster. They are thin and up to one metre long. They are found around the body in the nervous system.
