Immunity Flashcards
Pathogen
A disease causing organism (bacteria or virus).
Bacteria description
- Pathogenic?
- DNA/RNA?
- Structure?
- Reproduce?
The majority of bacteria are harmless/non-pathogenic. They are living, single cell organisms, only seen with a microscope. Bacteria have flagella and a cell membrane similar to that of other cells. It contains DNA and RNA and reproduces by division like other human cells.
Bacteria example
Pneumonia and Tuberculosis.
Virus description
- Pathogenic?
- DNA/RNA?
- Structure?
- Reproduce?
The majority of viruses are harmful/pathogenic. They are non-living and can only be seen with an electron microscope. Viruses contain DNA or RNA, never both. In order to reproduce, viruses invade a host cell, infecting it with its DNA/RNA, taking over and causing rapid reproduction.
Virus examples
HIV/AIDS, Chicken Pox and Colds.
Communicable disease
Diseases that are caused by foreign organism invading the body and multiplying there. Known as infectious diseases.
Zoonotic disease
Infections that pass from animals to humans.
Bacteriophage
A virus that infects bacteria
List the 6 types of transmission of pathogens
contact bodily fluid droplets ingestion airborne vectors
Contact
Involves the spread of the pathogen by actual physical contact. The contact may be direct, actually touching an infected person, or indirect, touching an object that has been touched by an infected individual.
Bodily fluid
Involves blood other bodily fluids from an infected person coming into contact with the mucous membranes or the blood stream of an uninfected person.
Droplets
Involves tiny droplets of moisture, harbouring pathogenic organisms that have been emitted through breathing, talking, coughing and sneezing etc, being inhaled or ingested when settled on food.
Vectors
Involves the transfer of pathogens by other animals. Some vectors transfer pathogen directly (a house fly spreading pathogen to food/water that is then ingested), others are spread by a specific vector (malaria and mosquitos).
Airborne
When the moisture in exhaled droplets evaporates, many bacteria are killed, but viruses and some bacteria remain viable and can cause infection when inhaled.
Whats the external non-specific defence
External non-specific defence are the first line of defence, prevent pathogens entering the body. it includes the; skin mucous membranes hairs cilia acids lysosomes acids cerumen flushing action and protective reflexes
The skin
An effective barrier covering the outside of the body stops the entry of micro-organisms, provided it is not broken by cuts and abrasions. An oily secretion (sebum) produced by oil glands contains substance that will kill some bacteria, sweat secreted onto the skin contains salts and fatty acids that prevent growth of micro-organisms. The top layer is dead (need to invade living cells).
Mucous membranes
Membranes line body cavities that are open to exterior. The mucus inhibits the entry of micro-organisms to the organs of the body. The whole digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts are protected this way.
Hairs
Found in the nose cavity and ears. The hairs trap particles entering the cavities.
Cilia
Tiny hair-like projections from cells that are capable of a beating motion. Nose cavity, trachea and other air passages have cilia. They beat mucus containing trapped particles and micro-organisms, towards the throat where it can be coughed up or swallowed.
Acids
Acid in the stomach kills many of the bacteria consumed with food or the bacteria contained in the mucus swallowed from the nose and windpipe. The vagina also has acid secretions to reduce the growth of micro-organisms and sweat on the skin is slightly acidic.
Lysosomes
An enzyme that kills bacteria. Eyes are protected by the flushing action of tears containing lysosymes. The enzyme is contained in saliva, sweat, nose secretions and tissue fluid.
Cerumen
Ear-Wax
Protects the outer ear against infection by some bacteria. It is slightly acidic and contains lysozyme.
Flushing action
The flushing action of bodily fluids, keeps some areas free from pathogens. Urine flowing through the urethra has a cleansing action that prevents bacterial growth and stops bacteria reaching the bladder and kidneys. Tears sweat and saliva also utilise the flushing action.
Reflex definition
A reflex is a rapid autonomic response to a stimulus. Protective reflexes help to protect the body from injury (blinking) or infection
Coughing
Air is forced from the lungs to try and remove irritant; the air drives the mucus and foreign matter up the trachea towards the throat and mouth. The stimulus is irritation and the lower respiratory tract (bronchi and bronchioles).
Sneezing
The forceful expulsion of air from the lungs carries mucus, foreign particles and irritating genes out through the nose and mouth. It is caused by the irritation of the walls of the nasal cavity, which can be the result of noxious fumes or dust particles, likely to be carrying micro-organisms.
Vomiting
Physiological stimuli, excessive stretching of the stomach and bacterial toxins can all induce vomiting. It is not contraction of the stomach but contraction of the muscles of the abdomen and the diaphragm that expel the stomach contents.
Diarrhoea
The increases of contractions of the muscles of the wall of the intestines so that the irritant can be removed as quickly as possible. Irritation of the small and large intestines by bacteria, viruses or protozoans can cause diarrhoea
Inflammation definition
A response to any damage to the tissues. Words ending in itis indicate the inflammation to specific organs or tissues.
Purpose of inflammation
- Reduce the spread of pathogens, to destroy them and to prevent the entry of any additional pathogens.
- Remove damaged tissue cell debris.
- Begin the repair of damaged tissues.