4.1 - C - Communicable Diseases Flashcards
Define pathogen
An organism that causes disease
What are the 4 types of pathogen?
Bacteria
Fungi
Protoctist
Virus
Explain what bacteria are and do and give 2 examples
Prokaryote Smaller than eukaryotes Reproduce rapidly Damage cells by releasing toxins Eg: tuberculosis, ring rot in potatoes
Explain what fungi are and do and give 2 examples
Often lives in skin
Reproductive hyphae grow into skin and release pores
Hyphae form a mycelium
Lives in vascular tissue (plants) to gain nutrients (from xylem and phloem)
Hyphae release extracellular digestive enzymes to break down cellulose
Eg: black Sigatoka (bananas), ring worm
Explain what proctosits are and do and give 2 examples
Enter hosts and feed on contents of cells
Eg: potato blight, malaria
Explain what viruses are and do and give 2 examples
They invade cells and take over genetic machinery
The cause cells to reproduce copies of the virus
The host cell bursts and new viruses are released, the cycle repeats
Eg: HIV, influenza
What are the 2 types of ways diseases can be transferred
Direct
Indirect
Give 5 examples of direct transfer of diseases
Physical contact Airborne Spores Sneezing/coughing etc. Water/food
Give 1 example of indirect transfer of diseases
Vectors (ie. mosquitoes)
Give 7 factor which affect disease transmission
Homelessness Human migration Poor ventilation Poor health Poor diet Poor hygiene Overcrowding
Explain tuberculosis and the organism that causes it
A disease that affects many parts of the body, killing the cells and tissues; the lungs are most often affected
Bacteria:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Explain bacterial meningitis and the organism that causes it
Infection of the meninges - the membranes that surround the brain and spinal chord; the membranes become swollen and may cause damage to the brain and nerves
Bacteria:
Neisseria meningitidis or Streptococcus pneumonia
Explain ring rot (in plants) and the organism that causes it
Ring of decay in the vascular tissue of a potato tuber or tomato, accompanied by leaf wilting
Bacterium:
Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus
Explain HIV/AIDS and the organism that causes it
Attacks cells in the immune system and compromises the immune response
Virus:
Human immunodeficiency virus
Explain influenza and the organism that causes it
Attacks the respiratory system and causes muscle pains and headaches
Virus:
From the Orthomyxoviridae family - “flu” viruses
Explain tobacco mosaic virus and the organism that causes it
Causes mottling and discolouration of leaves
Virus:
Tobacco mosaic virus
Explain black sigatoka (bananas) and the organism that causes it
Causes leaf spots on banana plants reducing yield
Fungus:
Mycosphaerella fijienis
Explain blight (tomatoes and potatoes) and the organism that causes it
Affects both leaves and potato tubers
Protoctistan:
Phytophtora infestans
Explain ringworm (cattle) and the organism that causes it
Growth of the fungus in skin with pore cases erupting through the skin causing a rash
Fungus:
Trichophyton verrucosum
Explain athlete’s foot and the organism that causes it
Growth under the skin of feet - particularly between the toes
Fungus:
Trichophyton rubrum
Explain malaria and the organism that causes it
Parasite in the blood that causes headaches and fever and may progress to coma and death
Protoctistan:
Plasmodium falciparum
What are the 4 stages of a pathogen’s life cycle?
Travel from 1 host to another (Transmission)
Entering the host’s tissues
Reproducing
Leaving the host’s tissues
Define direct transmission
Passing a pathogen from host to new host with no intermediary
Define indirect transmission
Passing a pathogen from host to a new host, via a vector
Define transmission
Passing a pathogen from an infected individual to an uninflected individual
What is a vector?
An organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another
Define inflammation
Swelling and redness of tissue caused by infection
What are coughing, sneezing and vomiting examples of?
Expulsive reflexes
Why are primary defences non-specific?
They can prevent more diseases
What is an expulsive reflex?
When irritation causes a reaction, expelling the pathogen
What do histamine and anti-histamine do?
Histamine - causes inflammation, allows immune system to act
Anti-histamine - reduces inflammation
Define callose
A large polysaccharide deposit that blocks old phloem sieve tubes
What do plants not have?
An immune system
What are the 2 types of passive defence in a plant?
Chemical and physical
Give 5 examples of passive defences
Cellulose cell wall - physical barrier waterproofed by lignin and contain tannins
Waxy cuticle - prevents water collecting which can contain pathogens
Bark - physical barrier, contains chemicals which will work against pathogens
Tylose formation - tylose is a balloon like projection which fills the xylem, acts as a plug, prevents the spread of pathogens. Has high levels of terpenes which are toxic to many pathogens.
Callose
What is the one type of active defence in plants?
Chemical