B5. Communicable Diseases

Question 1

What is a communicable disease?

Answer 1

A communicable disease is a disease that is caused by a pathogen. It can be transmitted from one person to another.

Question 2

Define ‘health’

Answer 2

Health is the state of physical and mental well-being.

Question 3

What is a pathogen?

Answer 3

A pathogen is a microorganism that causes a disease e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists

Question 4

Name some factors (other than disease) than can have an effect on physical/mental health?

Answer 4

• Diet
• Stress
• Life situations

Question 5

Name some risk factors for disease

Answer 5

• Smoking
• Exposure to radiation
• Excessive alcohol
• Carcinogens
• Obesity

Question 6

Explain how different type of diseases can interact with each other.

Answer 6

• Problems with the immune system mean that an individual is more likely to suffer from infectious diseases.
• Viruses living in cells can be a trigger for cancers.
• Immune reactions initially caused by a pathogen can trigger allergies such as skin rashes and asthma.
• Severe physical illnesses can lead to mental illnesses like depression.

Question 7

What type of pathogen causes measles?

Answer 7

A virus

Question 8

What type of pathogen causes AIDS

Answer 8

A virus called HIV

Question 9

What type of pathogen causes tobacco mosaic disease in plants

Answer 9

Tobacco mosaic virus

Question 10

What type of pathogen causes salmonella?

Answer 10

Bacteria

Question 11

What type of pathogen causes gonorrhoea

Answer 11

Bacteria

Question 12

What type of pathogen causes rose black spot in plants?

Answer 12

Fungi

Question 13

What type of pathogen causes malaria?

Answer 13

Protist

Question 14

What are the symptoms of measles?

Answer 14

Fever, red skin rash. Can be very serious.

Question 15

What are the symptoms of AIDS?

Answer 15

Flu-like symptoms. The virus attacks the bodies immune cells to the point they can no longer fight diseases.

Question 16

What are the symptoms of tobacco mosaic disease in plants?

Answer 16

Mosaic patter of discolouration on the leaves which affects the growth of the plant due to lack of photosynthesis.

Question 17

What are the symptoms of salmonella (food poisoning)?

Answer 17

Fever, abdominal cramps

Question 18

What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?

Answer 18

Thick yellow/green discharge from the vagina or penis and pain when urinating.

Question 19

What are the symptoms of rose black spot in plants?

Answer 19

A fungal disease where purple or black spots develop on the leaves. Affects the growth of the plant as photosynthesis cannot take place.

Question 20

What are the symptoms of malaria?

Answer 20

Recurrent episodes of fever, can be fatal.