B3 Infection and Response Flashcards
What is meant by the term ?communicable disease??
One that is spread from one person to another.
What are the 4 types of pathogen?
Viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi.
How do bacteria make you ill?
Produce toxins, damage tissues.
Why do viruses cause more damage?
Live and reproduce inside cells causing cell damage.
What are the 4 first lines of defence against pathogens?
Skin, nose hairs and mucus, trachea and bronchus (mucus and hairs), stomach acid.
What are the 3 ways that white blood cells fight against pathogens?
Engulf them (phagocytosis), make antibodies, make antitoxins.
How do vaccines work?
Inject dead or inactive pathogen. White blood cells produce antibodies. Same pathogen would cause quicker production of correct antibodies.
What is herd immunity?
If most people are vaccinated there becomes very little chance of you coming into contact with the pathogen.
What is an antibiotic?
A drug that kills bacteria (NOT viruses). They are specific.
What do painkillers do?
Treat the symptoms but do not kill pathogens.
What are the main stages of a drugs trial?
- Preclinical laboratory tests on cells, tissues and live animals. 2. Clinical trials on HEALTHY people ? low doses, check for safety in humans 3. Clinical trials on PATIENTS to find out optimum dose
What is a double blind trial?
One where some patients are given a placebo (has no effect).
Name 3 non-communicable diseases.
E.g. cancer, diabetes, genetic diseases, heart disease.
Name 3 risk factors for non-communicable diseases.
E.g. diet, lifestyle, stress
What is cancer?
Where normal cells change and grow and divide in an uncontrollable way to form a tumour.
