Communicable diseases

Question 1

Suggest advantages of researching plants already known to work in traditional folk medicine when attempting to find sources of medicinal drugs. [2]

Answer 1

. quick and easier
. cheaper than starting from scratch
. side effects are known
. known interaction with other drugs

Question 2

when making new drugs, name two examples of natural substances that can be used

Answer 2

plants and microorganisms

Question 3

suggest two advantages of using personalised medicine to treat cancer?

Answer 3

. more effective and more successful treatment
. money is not wasted on drugs ineffective
. fewer side effects because less drugs taken

Question 4

why is the primary immune response needed?

Answer 4

helps to prevent infection before immune system triggered

Question 5

examples of first line defence mechanisms for preventing entry of a pathogen

Answer 5

1. skin
2. mucus membranes
3. expulsive reflexes

Question 6

how is the skin a primary immune response? role?

Answer 6

skin acts as a physical and chemical barrier

physical because outer layer is dead, hardened cells

chemical because secretes sebum , an oil containing antimicrobial fatty acids

Question 7

how is mucus membranes part of the primary immune response? role?

Answer 7

made up of goblet cells which trap pathogens by secreting mucus
ciliated epithelial cells waft mucus out of the air way

Question 8

how does expulsive reflexes act as a primary immune response? role?

Answer 8

coughing and sneezing help to expel foreign objects (pathogen) from body
caused by irritation of respiratory tract

Question 9

what is the secondary immune response?

Answer 9

when pathogen invades first one of defence

Question 10

what are examples of secondary immune responses?

Answer 10

blood clotting
inflammation
lymphatic system draining fluid

Question 11

describe the process of blood clotting and its role

Answer 11

1. platelets release clotting factors
2. fibrinogen (soluble) converted into insoluble fibre , fibrin
3. fibrin forms mesh which traps platelets and blood cells

Question 12

what does blood clotting happen? whats happened to the blood vessel?

Answer 12

blood vessel become damaged

Question 13

describe the process of inflammation causing swelling

Answer 13

1. mast cells produce histamine to respond to tissue damage
2. blood vessels leak fluid into surrounding area because blood vessel become increased permeability
3. causes swelling, isolating the pathogen

Question 14

describe the process of inflammation causing the area of body to become hot / warm.

Answer 14

1. mast cells produce histamine
2. vasodilation occurs, increasing blood flow through capillaries
3. makes area red an hot
4. brings white blood cells to area to fight off the pathogen

Question 15

describe the process of the lymphatic system as a secondary immune response

Answer 15

1. drains fluid from blood vessel that has leaked
2. lymph nodes contain phagocytes which destroy the pathogens

can cause swelling

Question 16

what is personalised medicine?

Answer 16

medicine tailored to someones DNA and based on their genome

Question 17

what is synthetic biology?

Answer 17

development of new drugs by designing new biological parts and systems