Topic 13 - Microbes and Disease

Question 1

Are most microorganisms harmless or harmful?

Answer 1

Harmless

Question 2

What are microorganisms that are harmful?

Answer 2

Pathogens

Question 3

What do pathogens include?

Answer 3

Bacteria, viruses, protists, fungi

Question 4

Structural features of a bacterium? (9)

Answer 4

Ribosome, cytoplasm, chromosome, flagellum, pili, cell membrane, cell wall, gelatin-like capsule, plasmid

Question 5

What is the function of the flagellum?

Answer 5

Movement in water (like sperm)

Question 6

What is the function of the pili?

Answer 6

A theory that genetic material can be passed along them to other bacteria

Question 7

What is the function of the plasmid?

Answer 7

Ring of genetic material in cytoplasm

Question 8

Structural features of a bacteriophage virus? (5)

Answer 8

Protein coat, head, DNA, tube, tail fibre

Question 9

What are viruses?

Answer 9

Parasites, they can lay dormant in a host cell for long periods of time

Question 10

How small are viruses?

Answer 10

Very small - only visible under an electron microscope

Question 11

How do viruses work?

Answer 11

They inject their DNA into host cells and hijack the enzymes before multiplying inside the cell

Question 12

Are viruses alive?

Answer 12

It is unsure: they can move, reproduce and grow but cannot excrete, respire or eat; questions surrounding their ability to sense

Question 13

What causes food poisoning?

Answer 13

Bacteria - Campylobacter

Question 14

What causes cholera? What is cholera’s Latin/scientific name?

Answer 14

Bacteria - Vibrio cholerae

Question 15

What causes mumps? What is its Latin/scientific name?

Answer 15

Virus - Rubulavirus

Question 16

What causes MRSA? What is its Latin/scientific name?

Answer 16

Bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus

Question 17

What causes malaria? What is its Latin/scientific name?

Answer 17

Protist - Plasmodiumis

Question 18

What causes AIDS?

Answer 18

Virus - HIV

Question 19

What causes tuberculosis? What is its Latin/scientific name?

Answer 19

Bacteria - Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 20

What causes chlamydia? What is its Latin/scientific name?

Answer 20

Bacteria - Chlamydia Trachomatis

Question 21

How is AIDS transmitted?

Answer 21

Bodily fluids (sex, cuts, sharing needles, blood transfusions)

Question 22

How is Chlamydia transmitted?

Answer 22

Sex (contact with vagina or urethra)

Question 23

How is Malaria transmitted?

Answer 23

Mosquito saliva (vector)

Question 24

What are the symptoms of AIDS?

Answer 24

Flu-like symptoms, unaware of infection, long time after HIV infection, AIDS attacks immune system

Question 25

What are the symptoms of Chlamydia?

Answer 25

Infertility, conjunctivitis/pneumonia (babies), pain when urinating, thick yellow/green discharge, bleeding between periods, testicle swelling

Question 26

What are the symptoms of Malaria?

Answer 26

Fever, sweats, chills, headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, death

Question 27

How is AIDS prevented?

Answer 27

No cure, antiretroviral drugs SLOW development, protective gear when handling bodily fluids, protected sex, avoid sharing needles

Question 28

How is Chlamydia prevented?

Answer 28

Abstinence/antibiotics, Monogamy, Condoms

Question 29

What antibiotics are used to treat chlamydia?

Answer 29

Tetracycline or erythromycin

Question 30

How is Malaria prevented?

Answer 30

Mosquito nets, insecticides/pesticides in mosquito breeding grounds, insect repellants

Question 31

What is the function of lysozymes?

Answer 31

Enzymes found in tears kill microorganisms in the eyes

Question 32

What is the function of hairs?

Answer 32

To filter out dust that might contain pathogens from the nostrils

Question 33

What is the function of mucus?

Answer 33

A sticky substance to trap pathogens which can be sneezed or coughed out from the respiratory system

Question 34

What is the function of cilia?

Answer 34

Tiny hairs which sweep out mucus and any pathogens in it

Question 35

What is the function of sweat glands?

Answer 35

Secrete sweat containing a chemical substance to kill pathogens

Question 36

What is the function of hydrochloric acid?

Answer 36

Dissolves and kills pathogens which may be present in the food

Question 37

What is the function of antibodies?

Answer 37

Chemical produced by lymphocytes to neutralise/mark pathogens that may enter the bloodstream

Question 38

What is the function of platelets?

Answer 38

Small pieces of cells in blood to help with clotting of blood to prevent pathogens entering the body

Question 39

What is the function of skin?

Answer 39

A protective barrier made of several layers, covering majority of the body

Question 40

What is the function of wax?

Answer 40

Substance that contains a mild antiseptic which can kill pathogens