Infection and Response Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
a micro-organism that cause disease
How can pathogens spread?
In air, water, direct contact, a vector, blood or sexual fluids
what is measles?
measles is a virus that is spread through liquid droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
what are the implications of measles?
cold like symptoms, coughing, sneezing, red eyes, high temperature, rashes. most often effect children and can be fatal.
can be prevented by vaccination.
what is HIV?
HIV is a virus that is spread via sexual fluids (unprotected sex) or via the blood (sharing needles).
what are the implications of HIV?
attacks white blood cells and therefore there is little immune response.
This can lead to aids.
What is TMV ?
disease spread by the direct contact of plants
What are the implications of TMV?
- reduced levels of chlorophyll
- reduced photosynthesis
- reduced sugars
which leads to a lower yield (less plants)
What is salmonella ?
A type of bacteria in infected foods
What are the implications of salmonella ?
diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting and fever.
dehydration that can be life threatening
What is gonorrhoea?
type of bacteria spread with the contact of sexual fluids
What are the implications of gonorrhoea?
- thick, green, smelly discharge
- pain when urinating
- bleeding
what is malaria?
type of parasite spread by female mosquito
what are the implications of malaria?
- high fever
- sweats
- chest and muscle pains
- headaches
- vomiting
and can be lethal in severe cases
what is rose black spot fungus?
fungus spread on plants
what are the implications of rose black spot fungus?
large areas of discolouration and loss of vigour
how does the body protect itself from pathogens?
- stomach acid kills bacteria
- respiratory system contains mucus and hairs to trap bacteria
- skin barrier
- tears wash out eyes
what does the immune system do?
- produces antibodies to recognise pathogens quickly
- produces antitoxins to counteract bacteria toxins
- consumes pathogen via white blood cells
how does a vaccination work?
- contains small amounts of dead or inactive pathogens
- allows your body to develop antibodies
- new infections can be dealt with quickly
what are the advantages of vaccinations ?
- new infections can be dealt with quickly
- small pox wiped out
- herd immunity (when a sufficient percentage of a population has become immune to an infection)
what are the disadvantages of vaccines?
- don’t always work
- painful
- may have side effects
what do new drugs need to be tested for ?
- toxicity
- efficiency
- dosage
Describe the production of monoclonal antibodies:
Example of mouse:
- mouse vaccinated to start formation of antibodies
- antibodies are formed in the spleen and these are collected from the mouse
- antibodies from the cell are removed and fused into myeloma cells that grow rapidly
- these cells can be grown in cultures in a lab until they are lots of hybrid cells
- cells and antibodies can be separated
- antibodies can be used in pregnancy tests
How can you identify plant disease?
- discolouration
- leaves fall off
- loss of vigour
- flowering
- death
what does low nitrates in a plant lead to?
poor growth and yellow leaves
what does low phosphates mean ?
poor root growth and discoloured leaves
what does low potassium in a plant mean ?
poor flower and fruit growth
what does low magnesium in a plant mean ?
yellow leaves
