Animal and plant diseases 12.2 Flashcards
How do plant diseases threaten people
Plant diseases threaten people, because when crops plants fail, people suffer (starvation, people may struggle to find jobs, entire species may be threatened)
features of ring rot
- bacterial disease of potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines
- cause by gram positive bacterium
- damage leaves, tubules and fruit.
- there is no cure.
what is tobacco mosaic virus
A virus that infects tobacco plants and around 150 other species including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, petunias and delphiniums. It damages leaves, flowers and fruit, stunting growth and reducing yields and can lead to an almost total crop loss. Resistant crop strains are available but there is no cure.
what is potatoe blight
caused by a fungus-like protoctista oomycete. The hyphae penetrate host cells, destroying leaves, tubers and fruit, causing millions of pounds worth of crop damage each year. There is no cure but resistant strains, careful management and chemical treatments can reduce infection risk
what is black Sigatoka
plant disease caused by fungus attacks and destroys the leaf cells which turns leaves black
fungicide can control spread
what is tuberculosis
A bacterial disease of humans, cows, badgers and deer commonly cause by mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB damagers and destroys lung tissue and suppresses the immune system, so the body is less able to fight off other diseases.
How can TB be cured or prevented
In people TB is both curable (by antibiotics) and preventable (by improving living standards and vaccination)
what is bacterial meningitis
A bacterial infection (commonly caused by streptococcus pneumoniae) of the meninges of the brain (protective membranes on the surface of the brain), which can spread into the rest of the body causing septicaemia (blood poisoning) and rapid death. It mainly effects very young children and teenagers aged 15-19. They have different symptoms but in both, a blotchy red/purple rash that does not disappear when a glass is pressed against it is a symptom of septicaemia and immediate medical treatment is needed. About 10% of people infected will die, Up to 25% of those who recover have some permanent damage. Antibiotics will cure the disease if delivered early. Vaccines can protect against some from of bacterial meningitis
what is HIV/AIDs
caused by a virus which targets T helper cells in the immune system of the body. It gradually destroys the immune system so affected people are open to other infections (TB, pneumonia, as well some types of cancer). It can affect humans and some non human primates. HIV is a retrovirus. It contains the enzyme reverse transcriptase (transcribes the RNA to a single strand of DNA to produce a single strand of DNA in the host cell. This DNA interacts with the genetic material of the host cell.) The virus is passed from person to person through bodily fluids.
what is a retovirus
A retrovirus is a virus that uses RNA as its genomic material.
what is influenza
A viral infection of the ciliated epithelial cells in the gas exchange system. It kills them leaving the airways open to secondary infection which can then often be fatal. There are 3 main strains-A,B and C strain. They are classified by the proteins on their surfaces. They mutate regular so a new vaccine is needed yearly
What is malaria
It is used by a protoctista and spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes. The plasmodium parasite has a complex life cycle inside the female mosquito. The female needs to take 2 blood meals to provide her with protein before she lays her eggs and this is when the plasmodium is passed on to people. It invades the red blood cells, liver and the brain. There is no vaccine and limited cures. 200 million have Malaria each year and over 600,000 die
what is ring worm
symptoms, cures
- fungal disease affecting mammals
- causes white, crusty, infectious, circular areas of skin
- not damaging but looks unsightly and is itchy.
- Antifungal creams are an effective cure
- What is athletes foot (where is it found)
- what are its symptoms
- what is a cure
- human fungal disease
- ^form of human ring worm that grows on and digests warm moist skin
- causes cracking and scaling, which is itchy and may become sore.
- Antifungal creams are an effective cure.
what are some ways to identify pathogens
- traditionally pathogens were cultured in the laboratory and identified under a microscope
- monoclonal antibodies can be used now to identify pathogenic organisms in both plants and animals
- DNA sequencing technology means pathogens can be identified precisely, down to a single mutation
