Topic 10 Flashcards
What is a microorganism
A very small living thing
What are pathogens
Microorganism that causes disease
Transmissable/communicable disease
Caused by a pathogen and can be passed from one host to another
4 types of pathogens
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Protists
Ways in which pathogens are spread (7)
- Contaminated food
- Sharing needles
- Contaminated surfaces
- Sexually transmitted
- Bloodily fluids
- Airborne droplets
- Animals
How can a pathogen be transmitted?
Direct contact
Indirect contact
Examples of direct contact
. Blood
. Bloodily fluids
Examples of indirect contact
. Contaminated surfaces
. Air
. Food
. Animals
The body’s primary defences (5)
Trying to prevent pathogens from entering the body
- Eyelashes
- Hair in the nose
- Skin
- Stomach
- Mucus
Examples of mechanical barriers for body
. Hair in the nose -> traps the pathogens in the air
. Skin -> mechanical physical barrier
-> If you damage the skin, platelets clot to seal wound
Example of chemical barriers in body
. Stomach -> contains HCL
-> kills any pathogens
. Mucus -> chemical cells in trachea and bronchi produce mucus
-> trap pathogens
How do pathogens cause harm?
1) They can reproduce and they can damage cells
2) Produce toxins
- When pathogens infect us, the WBCs fight pathogens
Phagocytosis
- Engulf and digest pathogenical material
. By phagocytes
. They recognise ‘foreign’ pathogens and elngulf them
. Not specific
Antigens
- All pathogens have their own unique ‘markers’ on the cell membrane, antigens, which have specific shapes
Anti-body production
- By lymphocytes
1) Lymphocytes encounter ‘foreign’ antigens and will produce complimentary shaped proteins called antibodies
2) Antibodies secreted by the lymphocytes bind to the antigens on pathogem
-> They either destroy the pathogen of marks it for destruction by a phagocyte
Antibodies
. Proteins that bind to antigens leading to direct destruction of pathogens fro destruction by phagocytes
- Made put of protein
- Specific antibodies have complimentary shapes which fit specific antigens
Preventing disease (6)
. Vaccination
. Treated sewage
. Waste disposal
. Good food hygiene
. Good hygiene
. Clean water supply
Hygenic food preparation
- Reduces spread of pathogens from work surfaces, chooping boards, etc, to food
Good personal hygiene
Simple hygiene measures (eg. washing your hands after going to the toilet)
Waste disposal
Not letting rubbish build up + safely dispose things such as bandages or needles
Clean water supply
Access to clean, fresh water for drinking and cooking -> reduces spread of water-borne pathogens
Sewage treatment
Good sewage systems prevent sewage from contaminating drinking water -> reduces spread of water-borne pathogens
Cholera
. Caused by a bacterium
. Transmitted through spread of water
How can we prevent the spread of water?
. Sewage treatment
. Clean water