Infection and Immunity Introduction

Question 1

Arms of the immune system

Answer 1

Innate (non-specific defence mechanisms), adaptive (specific), inflammatory response

Question 2

5 major types of (micro)organism that cause disease in humans

Answer 2

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths

Question 3

Bacteria (with examples)

Answer 3

Single-celled, prokaryotic organisms that divide by binary fission, may be mobile if flagella. e.g. S.aureus, E.coli

Question 4

What kind of diseases do the genera mycoplasma and chlamydiae cause?

Answer 4

Pneumonia and urogenital infections

Question 5

Viruses

Answer 5

Particles of nucleic acid DNA or RNA in a protein coat. May or may not have a lipid capsule. Infect all living cells including bacteria. Virus-cell interactions are normally very specific.

Question 6

Fungi

Answer 6

Eukaryotic. 2 main pathogenic species; Candida and Aspergillus. Candida: a yeast, unicellular and reproduce by budding. Aspergillus: a mould, multi-cellular, reproduce by spores.

Question 7

Protozoa, give example

Answer 7

Family of single celled eukaryotic parasites, cause major tropical and zoonotic diseases. Vector borne. e.g. malaria

Question 8

Helminths, give example

Answer 8

Multicellular parasitic worms. Cause major tropical and zoonotic diseases. Tapeworms