B3 Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What are pathogens?
Are microorganisms that enter the body and cause disease.
Name the 4 pathogens that can cause disease?
Bacteria/viruses/protists/fungi.
Describe bacteria?
They are very small cells, which can reproduce rapidly inside your body.
They can make you feel ill by producing toxins that damage your cell and tissues.
Describe viruses?
Are not cells. They can reproduce rapidly in your body. They live inside your cells and replicate themselves. The cell damage is what you feel.
What are protists?
Are single celled eukaryotes. They are parasites often transferred to the organism by a vector. E.g mosquito
Describe Fungi?
Some are single-celled. Others have a body which are made up of hyphae. These can grow and penetrate skin and plants causing disease.
Name the ways pathogens can be spread?
Through…
Water
Air
Direct contact
What type of disease is malaria
Protists
Name all 7 communicable diseases?
Salmonella/measles/tobacco mosaic virus/gonorrhoea/HIV/Malaria/Rose black spot
Describe Measles
Is a viral disease. Spread from an infected persons sneeze or cough. It can be very serious. Ways to treat it are vaccination when young. Symptoms are rash and flu.
Describe HIV.
Is a virus spread by sexual contact or exchanging bodily fluids e.g blood. It initially causes flu-like symptoms. Usually people don’t see symptoms for years. It can be controlled with antiretroviral drugs stopping the virus from replicating.
Describe Tobacco mosaic virus.
Is a virus that affects many species of plants e.g tomatoes. Causing a mosaic pattern of discolouration on the leaves. The means photosynthesis cannot occur. There is no treatment and only way of dealing is trying to prevent it.
Describe Rose black spot.
Is a fungi. Causes purple or black spots to develop on the leaves of rose plants. This means less photosynthesis occurs. It spreads through water or wind. Can treat it by fungicides and by removing affected leaves.
Describe malaria.
Is caused by protist. Transferred by a mosquito. Malaria causes repeating fevers. The spread of malaria can be reduced by stopping the mosquitos from breeding. People can be protected by using insecticides and nets.
Describe Salmonella
Is a type of bacteria that causes food poisoning. Symptoms are fever,stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. These are caused by the toxins. Salmonella is caused by contaminated/uncooked food.
