B6-Preveting and treating diseases Flashcards
what does anti-gen mean
Antigens = unique proteins that are on the surface of every single cell
what are memory cells
Memory cell = ‘remember’ the right antibody needed to destroy a particular pathogen
what does immunisation involve
Immunisation includes giving you a vaccine ⟶ this stimulates the body’s natural response to invading pathogens
what are vaccines made of
Vaccines are made of a dead or inactive form of a pathogen
what does immunisation mean
Immunity = the ability of your white blood cells to produce the rigth antibodies quickly as a result of memory cells, if re-infected with the disease
what does MMR vaccine stand for
MMR Vaccine = covers Measles, Mumps and Rubella
what is herd immunity
Herd Immunity = large proportion of the population is immune to th disease ⟶ spread of pathogens is reduced and the disease may disappear
what do pain killers do?
Painkillers ONLY relieve the symptoms, but have no effect on pathogens
what do anti-biotics do?
Antibiotics = ONLY cure bacterial diseases
what do anti-sceptics do?
Antiseptics = kill bacteria on the skin - antiseptics can have medical use
!FACT!
Specific bacteria should be treated with the specific antibiotic that is effective against them
why is it hard to kill viruses
Viruses reproduce inside your cells - hard to find medicine that will kill the viruses and not your cells as well
