Communicable Diseases

Question 1

What is a pathogen?

Answer 1

A pathogen is a microorganism that causes a disease.

Question 2

Name the 4 main types of pathogens

Answer 2

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists

Question 3

Name 2 ways that diseases caused by
viruses, bacteria, protists and fungi are spread.

Answer 3

Air - When a person who is infected by the common cold sneezes, they can spray thousands of tiny droplets containing virus particles to infect others.
Direct Touch - This can be sexual contact during intercourse or non-sexual contact, like shaking hands.
Vector - Any organism that can spread a disease is called a vector.

Question 4

How can viruses cause cell damage?

Answer 4

When they have infected a suitable host cell or cells, they replicate themselves within the cell thousands of times. These are then assembled into new virus particles. The host cell or cells then burst and other nearby cells can be infected with the virus.

Question 5

How does bacteria make a person feel ill?

Answer 5

Inside the body, these bacteria reproduce quickly. They produce toxins that make you feel ill.