4.1 Communicable Diseases Flashcards
How does skin protect the body?
Acts as a barrier. Preventing pathogens entering the body.
What is the skin made of?
Outer layer is 90% Keratine. This dries and forms hard keratin.
What is sebum?
Oily substance on the skin that inhibits pathogen growth.
What is skin Flora?
The large amounts of skin cells out compete the pathogens.
What is a pathogen?
An organism that causes disease
What does a pathogen do?
Lives in and takes nutrients from a hosts body. Causing damage in the process.
What are the main types of pathogen?
Bacteria. Virus. Fungi. Protist.
What are communicable diseases?
Diseases that can be spread between organisms. Caused by one organism infecting another.
What is bacteria?
A prokaryotic unicellular organism that can cause disease. Not all bacteria cause disease though.
Why are bacteria bad for organisms?
Reproduce rapidly (some duplicate every 20 minutes). Produce toxins and waste products that damage the host.
What bacterial disease is found in plants?
Ring Rot
What is Ring Rot?
Wilting in lower leaves in Potato and tomato plants. Leaves roll inwards and leaf becomes a dull green. Vascular tissue then decays.
What is tuberculosis?
A Bacterial disease that usually attacks the lungs. Tissues and cells are killed. leading to respiratory issues.
How is tuberculosis spread?
Coughing and sneazing (droplet infection).
What is Bacterial Meningitis?
A bacterial disease that damages the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
What are the symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis?
Fever. Stiff Neck. Headache. Nausea. Vomiting.
How is Bacterial Meningitis spread?
Coughing and sneezing (Droplet infection).
What bacterial diseases are found in animals?
Tuberculosis. Bacterial Meningitis.
How is Ring Rot spread?
Droplets and vectors
What is gram positive bacteria?
Bacteria that goes blue-purple when stained with gram stain.
Why does gram positive go this colour?
It goes blue-purple as it has a thick cell membrane.
What is gram negative bacteria?
Bacteria that goes red after gram staining.
What type of bacteria is most resistant?
Gram negative. More resistant to antibodies and drugs.
What is a virus?
A short section of RNA surrounded by proteins. All viruses are pathogens. Viruses carry out no life processes and are therefore not classified as living.