Biological Agents - A4 Flashcards
What is the advantage of forming a spore?
Provides protection for bacteria against harsh environments
Which bacteria is responsible for causing anthrax?
Bacillus anthracis
What are vectors?
An organism which spreads disease from one host to another
What are two potential hazards of misusing antibiotics?
Antibiotic resistance, damage to good bacterial/upset gut biome
What is a zoonotic disease?
A disease which originates in a non-human and mutates to affect humans
What are the three primary types of anthrax?
Cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational
What are two types of pathogens?
Bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, paramecia (any two)
What are fomites?
A surface from which disease can be transmitted passively
What toxin is produced from the skin of the castor bean?
Ricin
What is an incubation period?
Time required for a pathogen to produce symptomatic illness
How are toxins typically different from other biological agents?
Not living things, act more quickly than most pathogens
