B5 - Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What is a communicable disease?
disease caused by pathogens that can be passed from one organism to another
What is a microorganism?
organisms that are usually single-celled and can only be seen using a microscope . They include bacteria, fungi, viruses and protists
What are pathogens?
microorganisms that cause disease
What are sexually transmitted diseases?
transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person by unprotected sexual contact
What is a vaccine?
dead or inactive pathogenic material used in vaccination to develop immunity to a disease in a healthy person
What is a virus?
pathogens that are much smaller than bacteria and can only reproduce inside living cells of other organisms
What is agar gel?
widely used solid (gel) culture medium used for growing microorganisms
What are aphids?
insects that penetrate the plant phloem and feed on the dissolved food. They act as plant pathogens and are also vectors that carry pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi into healthy plant tissue
What is binary fission?
reproduction by simple cell division, for example in bacteria
What is chlorosis?
the yellowing seen on the leaves of plants when they cannot make chlorophyll due to a lack of magnesium ions
What is a culture medium?
a liquid or gel used to support the growth of microorganisms or other cultures, often containing specific nutrients
What is Innoculation?
introducing microorganisms to a culture medium, or introducing modified microorganisms into an individual to protect them against disease
What is mutation?
a change in the genetic material of an organism
How do bacteria cause harm?
They reproduce rapidly and release toxins which damage the cells and structure
How do viruses cause harm?
Viruses take over the cells of the body, reproducing and damaging cells
How are pathogens transmitted?
- Air - Passed through air when sneezed or coughed, breathed by other people
- Direct Contact - Pathogens can be transferred by contact from a carrier to a healthy person
- Water - water can carry pathogens, plant pathogens can be spread through water droplets containing fungal spores
What did Semmelweis discover?
He discovered that medical students carried pathogens from dead bodies to mothers in birth. He made sure that people washed their hands
How can pathogens be prevented from spreading?
- Hand Washing
- Using Disenfectant
- Seperating Raw and Uncooked Meat
- Coughing or Sneezing into a Tissue to prevent pathogen spread via air
- Maintaining hygene if agricultural machines and workers
What are the main symptoms of measels?
A fever and a red skin rash - can lead to blindness and brain damage
How is Measels spread?
Through the inhilation of coughs and sneezes
How is measels prevented?
Better living conditions and a vaccine
What are the causes/symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
Causes:
• Exchange of bodily fluids - sexual contact, blood tranfusion, needle sharing
Symptoms:
• Flu like symptoms whilst the HIV attacks the immune cells
• When the immune system is damaged enough, it is termed as AIDS meaning teh immune system is extremely weak
What is Tobacco Mosaic Virus?
It is a plant pathogen passed along by contact and is recognised by the distinctive black mosaic pattern
