Fighting Disease Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
A pathogen is a microorganism that causes disease
How can pathogens enter our body?
Through the following: nose mouth ears eyes open wounds reproductive system
What are the defense mechanisms to prevent pathogens entering the body?
The following: cilia in the nose saliva(contains enzymes) skin blood will clot and scab stomach acid
How does bacteria make us ill?
Bacteria produce toxins or poisons which make us ill
How does a virus make us ill?
Viruses inject their DNA into the cells and it replicates. They replicate till the cell bursts which makes us ill. It then moves on to other cells.
How are pathogens spread?
By the following: poor hygiene sneezing,coughing food insects water direct contact with people
What is the MMR vaccination?
A vaccination against measles mumps and rubella
What is a vaccination?
When you are injected with a weak,inactive or dead form of the pathogen
What are the purpose of vaccines?
This is because our body produces antibodies to kill the pathogen. By injecting our body with a dead form of the pathogen it give our body a chance to memorize how to kill them. The purpose of it is to make our immune response faster.
How do white blood cells fight against disease?
Phagocyte white blood cells engulf the pathogen
How do white blood cells fight against disease?
antibodies trap the pathogens by their unique shape going around the antigens. Then the white blood cell engulfs the pathogen.
How do white blood cells fight against disease?
Lymphocyte white blood cells produce anti-toxins to neutralize toxins produced by the pathogen.
How can antibiotics help fight against disease?
They help fight against bacterial diseases as they contain anti-toxins that neutralize the toxins caused by bacteria.
What is MRSA?
Pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics
How does bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?
Bacteria becomes resistant to antibiotics by mutating. The super bacteria that is left reproduces. This is called natural selection.
What do painkillers do?
They relieve symptoms of the disease.
What is the aseptic technique to culturing an organism?
1) Firstly you heat the inoculating loop to kill any microorganisms on it.
2) let it cool down
3) take a sample
4) slightly open the petri dish
5) draw a zig zag
6) seal the petri dish with sticky tape
What is the inhibition zone?
The larger it is the more effective the antibiotic is.
