Fighting Disease Flashcards
What is a micro organism?
Bacteria, viruses and other organisms that can only be seen under a microscope
What’s the difference between a bacterium and a virus?
A bacteria produce antigens to make us Ill and damage our cells
but viruses take over our cells and cause them to burst making us ill
Name 3 first line defences in the body
Hairs Mucus Saliva Stomach acid Scabs Cilia Mucus Tears Wax
What is immunity?
After your white blood cells fight off a pathogen, they leave behind a memory cell which makes white blood cells work faster if that pathogen returns
What are leucocytes?
White blood cells
What are the two types of white blood cell?
Phagocytes- engulfs the pathogen
Lymphocytes- explodes releasing antibodies
What do antibodies do?
Target the pathogen (using the pathogens antigen) and destroy the cell.
What do antitoxins do?
These counteract the toxins produced by bacteria
How can disease be spread?
Droplet infection
Direct contact of skin
Contaminated food/drink
Cut in skin
How are painkillers and antibiotics different?
Antibiotics can kill bacteria
Painkillers treat symptoms and don’t kill bacteria
What is it very important antibiotics don’t do?
Harm human cells
Why are viruses immune to antibiotics?
Viruses breed inside our body cells
Antibiotics cannot harm our body cells
What is an infectious disease?
A disease that can be passed from one person to another
What does a vaccination involve?
Injecting small amounts of dead or in active microorganisms
Why does are body produce antibodies when we have a vaccine?
The dead microorganism have antigens which causes our body to produce antibodies
