B3 Infection and Response Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
A disease causing microorganism.
how do viruses reproduce?
Viruses reproduce by inserting genes into cells which causes them to produce more copies.
How do bacteria affect the body?
They release toxins into your body that damage cells.
How do fungi affect the body?
They damage cells.
What are protists?
Single-celled organisms.
What is a vector?
Something which carries an illness or disease. E.g. Mosquitos are the vector for malaria.
What are examples of plant diseases?
Rose black spot (fungus) - causes leaves to fall off.
TMV Tobacco Mosaic Virus - discolours leaves, less chlorophyll - stunted growth.
What are examples of the body’s defences?
Skin, mucus in nose, acid & enzymes, white blood cells (Lymphocytes).
What are defences for plants?
Cell wall, waxy cuticle & bark. Antibacterial chems: poison/thorns.
What do Lymphocytes produce?
Antitoxins which neutralise toxins made by pathogens, antibodies that bind to the antigen of a pathogen.
What are phagocytes?
a type of white blood cell which ingest pathogens.
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine introduces a dead or inert version of a virus into your body, so you can gain immunity without becoming ill.
What are antibiotics used for?
Antibiotics are used to kill bacteria but not viruses. E.g. Penicillin.
What are disadvantages of antibiotics?
They are difficult to make them target specific bacteria and not damage our cells or other ‘good’ bacteria.
whole course must be taken to kill all bacteria, or more resistant bacteria will survive and multiply.
What are the stages of developing synthetic drugs?
They are tested on cell tissue then animals then humans, blind trial (placebo given), double blind (even doctors not sure).
