Topic 3 - Infection and Response - Key Words Flashcards
(35 cards)
Pathogen
Microorganisms that enter the body and cause disease
Communicable Disease
Diseases which are infectious and can be easily transferred from one organism to another e.g. a cold or cornavirus
Non-Communicable Disease
Disease which cannot be transferred or ‘caught’ e.g. cancer or kidney failure
Bacteria
Small cells that reproduce rapidly within the body causing us to feel ill
Virusses
They are not cells, they are much smaller, but they also reproduce rapidly and cause us to feel ill
Protists
Single-celled eukaryotes aka parasites, they live on or inside an organism and cause damage
Vector
Something that carries a disease but does not get it itself .e.g. rats during the Black Plague
Measles
A disease spread by droplets that can be very serious or even fatal
HIV
A virus spread by sexual contact that attacks immune cells and will develop into AIDs which is fatal
Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)
A virus that infects plants and stops them from photosynthesising as well as before
Rose Black Spot
A fungal disease spread by water and wind that affects plants and their growth
Malaria
A disease caused by a protist and transmitted by a vector - mosquitoes in this case, it causes a fever and could be fatal
Salmonella
A disease caused by bacteria in incorrectly prepared food
Gonorrhea
This is an STD caused by bacteria which can lead to a lot of discomfort for the person - prevented by using barrier methods of contraception
Phagocytosis
The process of a white blood cell englufing and digesting white blood cells
Antibodies
Molecules produced by white blood cells that kill an invading pathogen they do not recognise, if your body has produced enough you are immune (this is how vaccines work)
Antigens
Molecules on the surface of every invading pathogen, unique to that one
Vaccination
An injection that contains a little of a dead or inactive pathogen so that your body can start to produce antibodies before you get sick
Painkillers
Drugs to deal with pain without actually causing a change to the problem
Antibiotics
Medicine that kills or prevents the furhter growth of bacteria within the body therefore relieving symptoms
Mutations
Changes to a cell or oganism .e.g. bacteria can mutate to become resitant to antibiotics
Drugs
Medically administered substances that provide defence for your body against invading pathogens
Preclinical Testing
Testing which must occur in order to ensure that a drug is safe to use
Efficacy
A measure of whether a drug works or gives you the effect you were looking for