Chapter 9 Key Terms

Question 1

Acquired immunity

Answer 1

infection resistance to a specific organism that occurs after an individual has been infected with the organism, or that is conferred from a vaccine

Question 2

Acquired resistance

Answer 2

infection resistance to a specific organism that occurs after an individual has been infected with the organism, or that is conferred from a vaccine

Question 3

Airborne transmission

Answer 3

mode of transmitting infection by dust containing spores or droplet nuclei, which are particles measuring 5 microns or smaller that contain microorganisms and remain suspended in the air for long periods of time

Question 4

Antibodies

Answer 4

an immunoglobulin produced by lymphocytes in response to bacteria, viruses, or other antigenic substances

Question 5

Direct contact

Answer 5

means of disease transmission in which infectious organisms are transferred to a susceptible host by the touch of an infected individual

Question 6

Disinfection

Answer 6

the destruction of pathogens by using chemical materials

Question 7

Droplet contamination

Answer 7

contamination that occurs when an infectious individual coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings in the vicinity of a susceptible host

Question 8

Endospore

Answer 8

a form assumed by a certain bacteria in which they resist drying and can live for long periods without warmth, moisture, or nutrients

Question 9

Fomite

Answer 9

nonliving material such as bed linen that may transmit microorganisms

Question 10

Healthcare-Associated infection

Answer 10

a hospital-acquired infection, also called nosocomial infection, defined as those that occur more than 48 hours after being admitted to the hospital

Question 11

Natural resistance

Answer 11

the natural ability of an organism to remain unaffected by infectious disease

Question 12

Nosocomial infection

Answer 12

hospital-acquired disease

Question 13

Normal Flora

Answer 13

microorganisms within the human body that do not usually cause disease and may be beneficial

Question 14

Pathogen

Answer 14

Any microorganism capable of producing disease

Question 15

Pathogenic organisms

Question 16

spore

Answer 16

a reproductive unit of some genera of fungi or protozoa. Also, a common term for endospore, a form assumed by some bacteria that is resistant to heat, drying, and chemicals

Question 17

Vector

Answer 17

an animal in whose body a pathogen multiplies or develops before becoming infective to a new host

Question 18

Vehicle

Answer 18

any substance, such as food or water, that can serve as a mode of transmission for infectious agents

Question 19

Virulence factors

Answer 19

characteristics of certain microorganisms that cause them to be pathogenic and distinguish them from normal flora. These factors enable bacteria to destroy or damage host cells and resist destruction by the host’s cellular defenses