Component 3A - Definitions To Understand Flashcards
Pathogenic
An organism that causes damage to its host
Infectious
A disease that may be passed or transmitted from one individual to another
Carrier
A person who shows no symptoms when infected by a disease organism but can pass the disease on to another individual
Disease reservoir
Where a pathogen is normally found; this may be in humans or another animal and may be a source of infection.
Endemic
A disease, which is always present at low levels in an area
Epidemic
Where there is a significant increase in the usual number of cases of a disease often associated with a rapid spread.
Pandemic
An epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people
Vaccine
Uses non-pathogenic forms, products or antigens of micro-organisms to stimulate an immune response which confers protection against subsequent infection.
Antibiotics
Substances produced by microorganisms which affect the growth of other microorganisms
Antibiotic resistance
Where a microorganism, which should be affected by an antibiotic, is no longer susceptible to it
Vector
A living organism which transfers a disease from one individual to another
Toxin
Is a chemical produced by a microorganism which causes damage to its host
Antigenic types
Organisms with the same or very similar antigens on the surface. Such types are sub groups or strains of a microbial species which may be used to trace infections. They are usually identified by using antibodies from serum.
What is antigenic drift and antigenic shift and what dot hey cause?
Antigenic drift is when there is a mutation due to there being no RNA proofreading enzymes and produces gradual change
Antigenic shift is when there is a recombination of H and N types and this can cause epidemics.
