Communicable diseases Flashcards
Pathogen
A micro-organism that causes disease
Host
Organism in which a pathogen lives
How do pathogens live on a host
By taking nutrition from their host, which also causes damage in the process
Bacteria
-Prokaryote
-Reproduce rapidly - every 20 mins
-In the host they can multiply rapidly
-Presence causes disease by damaging cells/ releasing toxic waste products
Bacteria in plants
-Live in the vascular tissue
-Cause blackening and death
Examples of bacterial diseases in mammals
-Turberculosis
-Bacterial meningitus
TB
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
A disease that affects many parts of the body, killing the cells and tissues; lungs are most affected
Bacterial meningitis
Streptococcus pneumonia
-Infection of the meninges - membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
-Membranes become swollen and may cause damage to the brain and nerves
Bacterial diseases in plants
Ring rot
Ring rot
Ring of decay in the vascular tissue of a potato tuber or tomato, accompanied by leaf wilting
How does a fungi infect mammals
Fungus lives in the skin of the animal
-Hyphae forms a mycelium under the skins surface
-Fungus can send out specialised reproductive hyphae, which grow to the surface of the skin to release spores
-Causes redness and irritation
How does a fungi infect plants
Lives in vascular tissue where it can gain nutrients
-Hyphae release extracellular enzymes i.e. cellulases
- Digest surrounding tissue which causes decay before dying
-Leaves will become mottled in colour, curl up, and shrivel before dying
-Fruit and storage organs (tubers- potatoes) will turn black and decay
Fungal diseases in mammals
Ringworm (cattle)
Athletes foot (humans)
Ringworm (cattle)
Growth of fungus in skin with spore cases erupting through skin to feel a rash
Athletes foot (humans)
Growth under skin of feet- particularly between toes
Viruses
Invade cells and take other the genetic machinery and over organelles of the cell
-Cause the cell to manufacture more copies of the virus
-Host cell bursts releasing many new viruses which will infect healthy cells
Viruses in mammals
HIV/AIDS
Influenza
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency disease
-Attacks cells in the immune system and compromises the immune response
Influenza
‘Flu’ Viruses
-Attacks the respiratory system and causes muscle pains and headaches
Plant viruses
Tobacco mosaic virus
Tobacco mosaic virus
Causes mottling and discoloration of leaves
Protoctista
Animal-like protocists
-Enter host cells and feed on contents as they grow
Malaria
Plasmodium falciparum
-Malarial parasite plasmodium has immature forms that feed on the haemoglobin in RBC
-Causes headache and fever and may progress to coma and death
What organism has been difficult to classify
Phytophthora (blight) was classified as a fungus but moved to protoctsita as it has many features that does not fit with other fungi