B5 - Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What are pathogens?
Microorganisms that enter the body and cause communicable disease
What does harmful bacteria do when entering the body?
They reproduce very quickly and produce toxins that make us feel ill
What effect does the toxins bacteria produce have on your body?
The toxins damage your cells and tissues
What do viruses do when entering the body?
They reproduce very quickly then live and replicate inside your cells
What does fungi do to the body?
Have hyphae that grow and penetrate the human skin
What does fungi do to plants?
Penetrate the surface of the plants
What are three ways pathogens can be spread?
Water
Air
Direct Contact
How can pathogens be spread through water?
By drinking dirty water
How can pathogens be spread through Air?
It can be breathed in
How can pathogens be spread through direct contact?
Touching contaminated surfaces like the skin
What is measles?
A contagious viral infection
How are measles spread?
Droplets of liquid from sneezes and coughs get into the air
What are the symtoms of measles?
Red rashes on the skin and a fever
What is HIV?
A virus that damages the cells in your immune system until it can no longer deal with everyday infections
How is HIV spread?
Through sexual contact or exhanging body fluids
How is HIV treated?
There is no cure but can be controlled with antiviral drugs
Why are antiviral drugs used to control HIV?
It stops the viruses replicating
What is AIDS?
The late stage of HIV where the bodys immune system is too badly damaged and cannot cope with minor infections
What is Tobacco Mosaic Virus?
A virus that infects the chloroplasts of tobacco plants and closely related species
How is Tobacco Mosaic Virus spread?
Contact between diseases plant material and healthy plants
Insects can also act as vectors
Why is it called Tobacco ‘Mosaic’ virus?
Causes a distinctive ‘mosaic’ pattern of discolouration on the leaves
Why can Tobacco Mosaic Virus seriously reduce the yield of a crop?
The virus destroys the cells.
This affecrs the growth of a plant because the affected areas cannot photosynthesise
How is Tobacco Mosaic Virus prevented?
They is no treatment so farmers must isolate, keep good hygiene and have good pest control
How does bacteria cause disease?
They divide rapidly and produce toxins that make you feel ill and damage your cells
How do viruses cause disease?
They take over the cells in your body then live and reproduce inside the cells which damages and destroys them
Which mechanisms prevent diseases being transmitted?
Hygiene
Isolating infected individuals
Destroying or controlling vectors
Vaccination
What is Salmonella?
Bacteria that live in the guts of many different animals
What are the symtoms of salmonella infection?
Food poisoning
Fever
Abdominal cramps
Vomitting
Diarrhoea