Health, Disease, Defence Mechanisms And Treatments Flashcards
How does the skin prevent microorganisms entering the body
Barrier that stops microorganisms entering the body
How do mucous membranes stop microorganisms entering the body
The membranes in nose and respiratory system trap and expel microorganisms
How does clotting stop microorganisms entering the body
Closes wound quickly to form a barrier that stops microorganisms gaining entry (also prevents loss of blood)
What is a lymphocyte
A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies
What is an antigen
Distinctive marker on a microorganism that leads to the body producing specific antibodies
What is a antibody
Structure produced by lymphocytes that has a complimentary shape to antigens on a particular microorganism
How do antibodies produced by lymphocytes destroy microorganisms that have entered the body
The antibodies latch onto the antigen and immobilises the microorganisms and then stops them from spreading further in the body making it easier to destroy the microorganisms
What are memory lymphocytes
After an infection the body has produced memory lymphocytes that remain in the body for a long time- these therefore can respond quickly and produce antibodies faster if infected again by the same microorganisms
What does the clumping of microorganisms do
Stops them from spreading around the body therefore making them easier to destroy and leads to reduced symptoms in the patient
What happens once the microorganisms have been clumped together
Another type of white blood cell called phagocytes surrounds and engulfs the microorganisms and digests them, this process is called phagocytosis
What is the primary response
When an individual is infected by a disease are often ill for a few days before the antibody numbers are high enough to provide immunity
What is the secondary response
When someone has once been already infected by a disease and has produced memory lymphocytes that remain in the body for many years and therefore means they will produce antibodies very quickly to stop the individual catching the disease and a lot of the time the individual isn’t aware they have the same disease again as we may not show any symtoms
What is immunity
When antibody levels are high enough or produced quickly enough to prevent disease
What is active immunity
The type of immunity that produces antibodies to combat disease. This is slower but lasts longer than passive immunity
What is passive immunity
When you are injected with antibodies by for example a pharmacist. These are faster acting but last a shorter period of time than active immunity
What does passive immunity allow
Rapid treatment for very serious infections
What is a vaccination
The injection of dead or modified pathogens with purpose of producing antibody and memory lymphocytes in the blood for a certain disease.
Why might a booster vaccine be required
If one vaccination isn’t enough to have the sufficient amount of antibodies to be immunity level for a long period of time
What are two structural plant defence mechanisms to pathogens
Waxy cuticle- prevents microorganisms from entering the plant
Thick cell walls- protect cells by surrounding them
What is a chemical plant defence mechanism
Plants produce antimicrobial chemicals harmful to infectious microorganisms eg: mint, or poisonous chemicals that can defend against small animals eg: insects, and they discourage them the use of the plant as food
Who discovered the first antibiotic and when
Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin, in 1928
How did Fleming discover Pennicillin
- OBSERVED the bacteria couldn’t grow near a fungus on agar jelly
He then,
-CONCLUDED that something (a chemical) was spreading from the fungus and killing the bacteria
Fleming was unable to isolate the chemical responsible for killing the bacteria, but what scientists in later years found the chemical responsible
Florey and chain
Where are the microbes that make penicillin and their drugs grown
In large biodigesters or fermenters that create the perfect conditions for fungal growth
What are the 3 stages of making new medicines and drugs
Preclinical trials stage 1 (vitro testing)
Preclinical trails stage 2 (animal testing)
Clinical trails
What happens in preclinical trails stage 1
Testing on living cells and tissues in a laboratory
Initial trial and error process
Drugs are tested to see if they’re effective and that it doesn’t harm living cells
Allows testing before use on living organisms
What happens in preclinical trials stage 2
Testing on animals to check how they work on the whole organism