cellular pathogens Flashcards
what are cellular pathogens?
cellular pathogens are living organisms that cause disease within a host and are capable of all functions associated with living independently such as: movement, reproduction, sensitivity, respiration, excretion and nutrition
what are the common 4 factors that all living cells share and what to they help the cell do
- genetic material
- cytosol
- ribosome
- plasma membrane
These factors help the cell live independently and not be reliant upon a host to survive
what are the types of cellular pathogens?
- protozoa
- bacteria
- parasites
- fungi
what are bacteria?
prokaryotic, unicellular organelles that lack membrane bound organelles. They are considered to be the first life on earth and can infect almost any part of the body
how do bacteria cause disease?
they cause disease in a variety of ways
- produce toxins that build up and disrupt the normal functioning of cells - such as releasing toxins that damage the cell membrane
- damage host cells directly
- interfere with the immune system
bacteria are capable of dividing rapidly once inside the host cell (every 20 minutes)
what are the shapes of bacteria and their names?
coccus (spherical) bacillus (rod-shaped) vibrio (comma shaped) spirilla (spiral) spirochaete (corkscrew)
how do we recognise allied bacteria from harmful bacteria?
A mothers milk contains some good bacteria that gets passed to the baby. This bacteria then lives in the gut and helps the baby digest food as well as recognise between good and bad bacteria
how to treat bacterial infections?
antibiotics treat bacterial infections
how do antibiotics treat bacterial infections?
antibiotics kill bacteria or slow bacterial growth
- They must be selective for bacteria, making sure that unique mechanisms or components of the harmful bacteria are targeted so that the body’s own cells are not affected
what are superbugs?
the term ‘superbugs’ is used to describe any organism that has developed a resistance to antibiotics due to the overuse and overexposure of antibiotics
usually bacteria are superbugs but fungi and parasites can develop resistance too
what are modes of transmission for types of bacterial pathogens?
bacteria have various modes of transmission including, direct contact, indirect contact, medium transmission and through vectors
what are some bacterial infections and symptoms?
scarlet fever cholera bubonic plague tuberculosis symptoms include: fever, abdominal pain, headaches, irritation in skin, constipation and diarrhoea
what are eukaryotic pathogens (types)
fungi and parasites
what are fungi
they are eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular
where are fungi found?
they are primarily found in terrestrial environments that are high in moisture
where do fungi cause disease
mostly affect external surfaces like the skin and are capable of causing disease in humans however they are far more problematic in plants
structure of fungi
main body of a fungus has a long filament called a hyphae branching off it
functions of hyphae
hyphae contains cytoplasm and nucleus which are responsible for the growth of fungus and secretes digestive enzymes into surroundings to help break down organic matter for nutrient absorption
how do fungi reproduce?
they spread microscopic spores in same manner in which plants produce seeds. Tiny spores formed on hyphae are picked up by wind and transported to new areas where they grow
How do fungi cause disease
- direct contact with fungal spores or digestive enzymes which cause irritation on skin
- inhalation of enzyme or spores can cause disease
- ## the parasitic nature of fungi results in cell death in plants - fungal hyphae of spores enter plants and live off plant resources. Fungi penetrate root hairs and prevent plants taking water
how to treat fungal infections
- exposure to sunlight
- limit exposure to water
- antifungal creams
- fungicides
- quarantine
- oral medication
what are protozoa?
unique unicellular organisms belonging to protist kingdom
What environments to protozoa favour?
- they favour moist environments such as waterways and soil and some species are part of the natural flora