Component 3 (Immunology and Disease) Flashcards
What is a ‘pathogenic’ organism?
An organism that has the ability to cause
damage to a host.
What is an ‘infectious’ disease?
Describes a disease that can be
transmitted between individuals.
Define carrier.
An infected individual that is
asymptomatic but can spread the
disease.
What is the disease reservoir?
The environment (host) in which an
infectious pathogen is found.
Define endemic.
A disease that is ever-present in an area.
Define epidemic.
A rapid rise in the incidence of a
communicable disease at a local or
national level.
What is a pandemic?
An epidemic that occurs worldwide,
affecting a large number of individuals.
Define vaccination.
The deliberate exposure of an individual to
non-pathogenic forms, antigens or products
of pathogens to provide artificial active
immunity.
What is an antibiotic?
A chemical or compound produced by a
living organism that kills or prevents the
growth of bacteria.
What is an antigen?
A chemical present on the surface of a
cell that induces an immune response.
Define antibodies.
Immunoglobulins produced by
B-lymphocytes in response to a specific
antigen, triggering an immune response.
What are antibiotic-resistant bacteria?
Bacteria that mutate to become resistant
to an antibiotic, survive and reproduce
very rapidly, passing on their antibiotic
resistance.
Define vector.
A living or non-living agent that transmits
a pathogen between organisms.
What is a toxin?
A substance produced by a pathogen
that causes damage to its host.
What are antigenic types?
Organisms that possess the same or
similar antigens on their surface, e.g.
strains of a bacteria.
How are antigenic types usually
identified?
Using antibodies from serum
What is a host?
The organism from which a pathogen or
parasite obtains nutrients and/or shelter.
Give some examples of bacterial
infections.
● Cholera
● Tuberculosis
What is cholera?
A disease caused by strains of the Gram
negative bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, the
toxins affect the gut lining which causes severe diarrhoea
leading to dehydration.
How is cholera spread?
● Fecal/oral transmission
● Ingesting contaminated food or water
How is cholera treated?
● Rehydration (fluid and electrolytes)
● Antibiotics
What is tuberculosis?
A bacterial disease, caused by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis,
that damages lymph nodes in the lungs and
neck, and weakens the immune system.
