Infection and Response Flashcards
Pathogens
Microorganisms that cause disease.
What are the four main types of pathogens?
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protists
How do bacteria cause disease?
By producing toxins that damage tissues and make us feel ill.
How do viruses cause disease?
By invading and reproducing inside cells, causing cell damage.
What is the role of the immune system?
To defend the body against pathogens.
What are white blood cells?
Cells in the blood that are involved in the immune response.
How do phagocytes work?
By engulfing and digesting pathogens.
How do lymphocytes work?
By producing antibodies and antitoxins.
What is an antigen?
A molecule on the surface of a pathogen that triggers an immune response.
What are antibodies?
Proteins produced by lymphocytes that specifically target and neutralize pathogens.
What is a vaccine?
A substance containing a dead or weakened pathogen used to stimulate the immune system.
How does vaccination work?
By stimulating the immune system to produce memory cells for future protection against the pathogen.
What is antibiotic resistance?
When bacteria evolve to become resistant to antibiotics.
How can antibiotic resistance be prevented?
By using antibiotics only when necessary and completing prescribed courses.
What is MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria resistant to many antibiotics.
What is a communicable disease?
A disease that can be spread from one person to another.
What are some examples of bacterial diseases?
Tuberculosis and Salmonella food poisoning.
What are some examples of viral diseases?
Influenza (flu) and HIV/AIDS.
What are some examples of fungal diseases?
Athlete’s foot and ringworm.
What are some examples of diseases caused by protists?
Malaria and dysentery.
How is malaria transmitted?
Through the bite of an infected female mosquito.
What is the body’s first line of defense against pathogens?
Physical and chemical barriers, such as skin, mucus, and stomach acid.
What are antiseptics and disinfectants?
Chemicals used to kill or inhibit the growth of pathogens. Antiseptics are used on living tissues, disinfectants on non-living surfaces.
What is the difference between passive and active immunity?
Passive immunity is provided by antibodies from an external source, while active immunity is developed by the body’s own immune system in response to an infection or vaccination.
