Topic 10: Diseases and immunity Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is a pathogen?
A disease-causing organism.
What is a transmissible disease?
A disease that can be passed from one host to another.
What is a virus made of?
A protein coat and genetic material.
What is active immunity?
When the body makes its own antibodies to fight a pathogen.
What is passive immunity?
When antibodies are given from another source (e.g., breast milk).
What are antigens?
Proteins on a pathogen’s surface with specific shapes.
What are antibodies?
Proteins that bind to antigens to destroy pathogens or mark them for destruction.
How can pathogens be passed directly?
Through blood or other body fluids (e.g., HIV).
How can pathogens be passed indirectly?
Through air, food, animals, or contaminated surfaces.
Name 2 mechanical body barriers.
Skin and nose hairs.
Name 2 chemical body barriers.
Mucus and stomach acid.
How do white blood cells defend the body?
By phagocytosis or making antibodies.
Why is clean water important?
It prevents waterborne diseases like cholera.
Why is hygienic food prep important?
It kills germs and stops contamination.
Why is personal hygiene important?
It stops spreading germs by touch or breath.
Why is waste disposal important?
It prevents flies from spreading diseases.
Why is sewage treatment important?
It kills pathogens in human waste before it pollutes water.
What is vaccination?
Giving weakened pathogens or antigens to trigger an immune response.
What does vaccination do?
It makes the body produce antibodies and memory cells.
What are memory cells?
Cells that remember how to fight a pathogen if it returns.
How does vaccination help stop disease spread?
It gives herd immunity – most people are immune, so diseases can’t spread easily.
Why are antibodies specific?
Their shapes match only one antigen (like a lock and key).
What happens when an antibody binds to an antigen?
The pathogen is clumped or marked for phagocytosis.
Where do antibodies come from in active immunity?
The body makes them.
