Communicable diseases - 1

Question 1

What is a pathogen?

Answer 1

• Microorganisms that can cause diseases

Question 2

What type of disease is caused by a pathogen?

Answer 2

• Communicable disease

Question 3

What are the 4 types of pathogens?

Answer 3

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Protists
• Fungi

Question 4

Explain the characteristics of bacteria

Answer 4

• Prokaryotic cells - 1/100 the size of a human cell
• Can reproduce rapidly (via binary fission)
• Can cause harm by releasing toxins that damage and kill our cells

Question 5

Explain the characteristics of viruses

Answer 5

• Not cells - 1/100 size of bacterial cell
• Can reproduce very rapidly
• Reproduce inside a cell until it burts. Once the cell bursts, all of the new viruses are released and they infect new cells

Question 6

Explain the characteristics of protists

Answer 6

• Eukaryotes that are usually single-celled
• Some protists are parasites which have been transmitted via a vector
• Vector’s carry parasites and transfer them to other animals / plants
• The vector doesn’t get the disease, it only spreads it

Question 7

Explain the characteristics of fungi

Answer 7

• Some fungi are single-celled, others have a body which are made up of hyphae (a thread-like structure)
• The hyphae can grow and penetrate human skin and lant surfaces, causing diseases
• The hyphae can produce spores which can spread to other animals / plants

Question 8

How are pathogens spread?

Answer 8

• Air
• Contaminated food and water
• Direct contact

Question 9

What do we do if someone has been infected by a pathogen?

Answer 9

• Stop the spread:
• Improved hygiene (e.g: washing hands)
• Kill the vector (using insecticides)
• Vaccination (if you can’t get it then you can’t spread it)
• Quarantine / isolation (only in severe cases)