definitions/vocabulary Flashcards
1
Q
what is a pathogen
A
a harmful organism that produces a pathology(disease)
2
Q
what is mean the virulence of an organism
A
the virulence is the capacity of a microbe to cause damage to the host
3
Q
what is a commensal
A
an organism that is part of the normal animal/plant, often has a mutualistic relationship and is endogenous
4
Q
what is meant by endogenous and exogenous
A
endogenous means they come form within the body(part of normal flora), exogenous means they come from out with the body(not part of flora)
5
Q
what is an opportunistic pathogen
A
an organism that causes infection opportunity/change in the natural immunity occurs, i.e. when an individuals immune system is weakened by another disease
