communicable diseases Flashcards
What are bacteria? How can they be identified?
Bacteria are prokaryotes that do not have membrane-bound nucleus or organelles. They can be identified by their basic shapes or by their cell walls as gram positive bacteria (blue-purple) or gram negative bacteria (red).
What are viruses? What is a virus specific to bacteria?
A virus is a non-living pathogen which has the general structure of some genetic material surrounded by protein.
They invade living cells and take over biochemistry to produce more virus.
Viruses specific to bacteria are bacteriophages which take over bacteria cells and use them to replicate and destroy the bacteria, useful in identifying and treating some diseases.
What are protoctists, examples and how do they spread?
Protoctista are eukaryotic organisms that are singled celled which cause disease if they are parasitic. They uses vectors to transfer them, for example mosquitos will transfer malaria.
What are fungi, how do they feed and what are spores?
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that are often multicelluar. They cannot photosynthesis and are saprophytes which feed of dead matter.
Parasitic fungi are infectious and can affect plant leaves to prevent photosynthesis.
Fungi reproduce and produce tiny spores that can spread large distances and rapidly.
How do viruses, protoctista and fungi damage host tissues?
They damage host tissues by directly taking over cell metabolism, inserts DNA into host DNA to make new viruses to burst out the cell and destroy it.
Protoctista and fungi do the same as viruses but they digest the cell contents rather than take over
How do bacteria and some fungi damage host tissues?
Produce toxins that poison or damage host cells by breaking down cell membranes or inactive enzymes or prevent cell division.
What is ring rot?
A bacterial disease of potatoes and tomatoes caused by gram positive bacterium.
Damages leaves and tubers which destroy 80% of the crop and prevent a field from growing
What is TMV?
Tobacco mosaic virus infects tobacco plants and damages leaves, flowers and fruits by stunting growth and reducing yields.
What is potato blight?
Caused by a fungi like protoctist which penetrate host cells, destroy leaves and tubers.
What is Black sigatoka?
A fungus which affects bananas by attacking and destroying leaves. Hypae will penetrate and digest cells, turning leaves back. Treat by fungicide and resistant strains.
What is TB and what is it caused by?
TB is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis which damages and destroys lung tissue and suppresses the immune system making it harder to fight against other diseases.
What is bacterial meningitis?
A bacterial infection of the meninges of the brain (protective membranes of the brain) which can spread to the rest of the body.
What is HIV/AIDS?
Caused by HIV , a virus, which targets T helper cells in the immune system and gradually destroyed immune system. Passed through bodily fluids
What is influenza?
A viral infection of the ciliated epithelial cells in the gas exchange system which leave airways to secondary infections.
What is malaria and what is ti caused by? How can it be prevented?
Malaria is a protocsista , Plasmodium, which are spread via vectors (mosquitos) that invade red blood cells, liver and even the brain.
You can attempt to prevent malaria by using insecticides, removing breeding grounds, mosquito nets, long clothes etc ..
