Fighting disease Flashcards
What defences does the body have to prevent pathogens from entering the body ?
Skin-acts as a barrier, hairs and mucus trap particles that could contain pathogens, the stomach produces hydrochloric acid which kills pathogens
How does the trachea and bronchi prevent pathogens from entering the lungs ?
They are lined with cilia which are like hairs and the bronchi and trachea secrete mucus which traps pathogens. The cilia wafts the mucus up to be swallowed into the stomach where there is hydrochloric acid
What do white blood cells do ?
They fight against pathogens
What is phagocytosis ?
When white blood cells engulf foreign cells and digest them
What are antigens ?
Every pathogen has unique molecules (called antigens) on the surface
What are antibodies ?
When white blood cells come across a foreign antigen they produce proteins called antibodies. The antibodies lock onto the antigens so that they can be found and destroyed by other white blood cells
How does your immune system attack pathogens ?
Consuming them, producing antibodies, producing antitoxins
What are antitoxins ?
Things produced to counter toxins produced by invading bacteria
What are vaccinations ?
Small amounts of dead or inactive pathogens are injected into the body so that the white blood cells can produce antibodies to attack them so that next time the pathogen is in the body the white blood cells can produce the right antibodies
What do painkillers do ?
They are drugs that relieve pain however they don’t actually kill pathogens
What do antibiotics do ?
They kill or prevent the growth of bacteria without killing your own body cells, different bacteria require different antibodies
What are the negatives of antibiotics ?
They only work for bacteria, and some strains of bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotics, therefore its important for doctors to avoid over-prescribing antibiotics
What is aspirin ?
A painkiller and used to lower a fever
What was aspirin developed from ?
from a chemical found in willow
What is digitalis ?
A drug used to treat heart conditions
