B5(5.1-5.11) Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What is a communicable disease?
-a disease that can be transmitted from one organism to
another
What is a pathogen?
-a microorganism that causes disease
Name four types of pathogen.
-bacteria, fungi, protists, viruses
How can pathogens spread?
-air, water, direct contact
How do bacteria make you ill?
-produce toxins that damage tissues
How do viruses make you ill?
-reproduce rapidly inside cells, damaging or destroying them
Name three examples of viral diseases.
-measles, HIV, tobacco mosaic virus
Name two examples of bacterial diseases.
-Salmonella, gonorrhoea
Name four methods of controlling the spread of
communicable disease.
-good hygiene, isolating infected individuals, controlling
vectors, vaccination
Describe an example of a protist disease
-malaria – caused by a protist pathogen that is spread
from person to person by mosquito bites, and causes
recurrent fevers
Describe an example of a fungal disease in plants.
-rose black spot – spread by water and wind, and
affects plant growth by reducing a plant’s ability to
photosynthesise
How can the cause of a plant disease be identified?
-gardening manuals and websites, laboratory testing,
monoclonal antibody kits
What are three mechanical defences that protect
plants?
-thorns and hairs, leaves that droop or curl, mimicry to
trick animals
Give three physical defences of plants.
-cellulose cell walls, tough waxy cuticles, bark on trees
How can aphids be controlled by gardeners?
-introduce ladybirds to eat the aphids
