Pathogens

Question 1

Communicable diseases

Answer 1

Communicable diseases are spread from person to person, they are infectious
Communicable diseases are spread by pathogens

Question 2

Pathogens

Answer 2

Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infectious disease

Question 3

What are the four types of pathogens

Answer 3

Bacteria, viruses, protists, fungi

Question 4

Bacteria

Answer 4

Once inside the human body, bacteria reproduce rapidly
They divide every 20 minutes under ideal conditions
They then release harmful chemicals called toxins
Toxins damage tissues and make us feel ill

Question 5

Viruses

Answer 5

Viruses cannot reproduce themselves. They can only reproduce inside a host cell
. First the virus invades the host cell
. The virus now reproduces inside the host cell
. This is damaging to the host cell , when it leaves the cell, t can cause the cell to brust open and die
.

Question 6

How can pathogens spread

Answer 6

. In the air eg in water droplets (influenza)
. Spread directly in water (cholera)
. Direct contact between individuals (HIV)

Question 7

Reducing the spread of pathogens

Answer 7

Washing your hands before eating can
Providing people with clean drinking water, in the UK drinking water contains chlorine which kills microbes
Using a condom during sexual intercourse preventing HIV
In the case of some highly infectious diseases such as Ebola, patients may be isolated preventing the pathogen from spreading
Vaccination