1.4 Pathogens and Disease

Question 1

What causes infectious diseases?

Answer 1

Pathogens

Question 2

What are pathogens?

Answer 2

Tiny microorganisms - usually bacteria or viruses

Question 3

What happens when bacteria or viruses enter the body?

Answer 3

They reproduce rapidly and produce toxins (poisons which make you feel ill)

Question 4

What is the difference between viruses and bacteria?

Answer 4

Viruses are a lot smaller than bacteria and reproduce inside cells and damage cells which make you ill

Question 5

How do pathogens make you feel ill?

Answer 5

They produce toxins and damage cells

Question 6

What did Semmelweiss notice?

Answer 6

That large numbers of women were dying after childbirth because of infection, so he thought hospital staff were passing on infections because they were not washing their hands

Question 7

Why did it take a long time for others to accept the ideas of Semmelweiss?

Answer 7

Because he could not explain his ideas - no one knew about bacteria and viruses

Question 8

What are bacteria?

Answer 8

Living cells

Question 9

What are some diseases caused by bacteria?

Answer 9

Whooping cough, cholera, typhoid, food poisoning

Question 10

What are some diseases caused by viruses?

Answer 10

Influenza, colds, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, AIDs