5.2 Pathogens and disease Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
Disease causing micro-organism
What is a protist?
An example of a microorganism
What is a toxin?
Harmful chemical produced by a microorganism
What are 3 positive effects of bacteria?
-beer/wine production
-yoghurt/cheese production
-producing medicine(insulin)
What are viruses?
-pathogens smaller than bacteria
-only reproduce inside living cell of another organism
What is bacteria?
single celled prokaryotic organism
How does bacteria cause disease?
-divides rapidly by splitting in two(binary fisson)
-produce toxins
-directly damage cells
How do viruses cause disease?
-Take over cells in body
-live and reproduce in inside the cell damaging and destroying them
How does the body respond to toxins?
-HIgh temperature
-Headaches
-Rashes
What is the incubation period?
Time between exposure to diseases and start of symptoms
What is droplet infection?
-tiny droplets full of pathogens expelled from an ill person by coughing, sneezing or talking
-People breathe in these droplets from infected people and pick up the infection
How do pathogens enter your body by direct contact?
cuts, scratches
-pathogens enter through the blood
-brushing skin of an infected person
How do pathogens enter your body by water?
-Fungal spores carried in splashes of water
-eating raw and uncooked or contaminated food
-pathogens enter through digestive system
