Disease Flashcards
What are the four types of pathogens?
A virus, bacterium, fungus, or protist
What is an example of a virus
HIV
What is an example of a bacterium
Salmonella
What is an example of a fungus
Athlete’s foot
What is an example of a protist?
Malaria
What is the life cycle of a pathogen?
They infect a host, reproduce themselves (or replicate, in the case of a virus), spread from their host, and infect other organisms.
What are diseases caused by pathogens called?
Communicable diseases, meaning they’re infectious
What features do bacterial cells have?
- No nucleus
- A cell wall made of murein
- A cell membrane and cytoplasm
- Sometimes loops of DNA called plasmids
This is a bacteria diagram
Are viruses considered alive?
No
What are viruses made up of?
A relatively short length of genetic material DNA which is surrounded by a protein coat.
Virus diagram upcoming
What are the five types of disease spreading?
- Direct contact
- Water
- Air
- Unhygienic food preparation
- A vector
What is clamydia caused by?
A bacterium (STI)
What are the results of chlamydia
Infertility and conjunctivitis in babies
What is malaria transmitted by?
The Plasmodium protist
What proportion of people die from malaria?
Half
What are the first defences against pathogens?
Non-specific barriers like the skin (a physical barrier), the nose (hairs form a barrier), trachea and bronchi (
What is the trachea and where is it?
Basically it’s the windpipe, and it runs from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi
What do the cells of the trachea have?
Cilia, which are tiny hairs. They are called ciliated cells
What do ciliated cells do
Move mucus and pathogens upwards towards the throat where they are swallowed into your stomach.