Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What factors can cause communicable diseases?
Diet - too little=starvation, too much=diabetes
Stress - increased risk of heart disease
Life Situations - health care, money
How can pathogens spread?
Air - bacteria, viruses and fungal spores.
Direct contact - STI’s, mosquitos, a spread of plant disease.
Water - pathogens can enter digestive system, fungal spores.
What is the process for growing cultures?
- Agar gel is used as a culture medium, as well as nutrients, carbohydrates, mineral etc.
- Hot, sterile gel is put into a Petri dish.
- It is inoculated with a wire loop
- Provide warmth and oxygen.
- NO HIGHER THAN 25*C/
How do you avoid contamination when growing cultures?
- Kill all bacteria - pass loops through a flame, boil solutions and agar.
- Use a sterilised loop.
- Use a lid to prevent air microorganisms.
- Prevent microorganisms from leaving the dish in case of mutation, giving a dangerous pathogen.
How do bacteria multiply?
Binary fission.
How do you prevent bacterial growth?
- Change temp, pH, oxygen, nutrients.
- Disinfectants - kill bacteria in the environment
- Antiseptics - kill bacteria on the skin.
- Antibiotics - kill bacteria in the body
How can we prevent infected individuals from spreading a disease?
- Isolate them.
- Small plants can bo moved and destroyed.
How are plant diseases carried?
Aphids and some beetles transmit plant pathogens.
How can a spread of disease be controlled?
Destroying the vectors.
Why can plants not be vaccinated?
They do not have an immune system.
How can measles be prevented? How can it be isolated?
- An infected person should be isolated.
- Measles can be prevented by vaccination.
What is HIV?
A virus which can lead to AIDS.
What does HIV attack?
The immune system.
How is HIV spread?
Through direct sexual contact or by infected blood.
How can HIV be prevented?
Using condoms, screening blood before transfusion, bottle-feeding babies of infected mothers.
