Infection & Disease Flashcards
What are pathogens?
Microorganisms that enter your body and cause disease
What are types of pathogens?
Fungi, bacteria, viruses and protists
What type of cells are bacteria?
Prokaryotic, single-celled
What is meant be a cell being Prokaryotic?
It has no nucleus
Can bacteria reproduce rapidly inside the body?
Yes
How does bacteria make you feel ill?
They release toxins that damage your cells and tissues
What do viruses need a host for?
Reproduction and survival
How do viruses work?
They live inside cells and replicate themselves using the cells’ machinery and directing it to make copies of the virus
What happens when a cells has a lot of viruses?
It bursts, releasing all the new viruses
What about viruses make you feel ill?
The damage caused when the cell bursts
What are protists?
Single-celled eukaryotes
What are parasites?
Organisms that live on or inside other organisms and can cause them damage
How are parasites often transferred?
By vectors
Do vectors get the disease itslef?
No
What environment do protists prefer?
Aquatic or moist
How does fungi get food?
By decomposing matter or eating off their hosts
What do some fungi have their body made up of?
Hyphae
What does hyphae do?
Grow and penetrate skin and the surface of plants causing disease
Produce spores to spread to other plants/animals
What are some ways diseases can be spread?
Contaminated water Air (droplet infection) Direct contact Break in the skin Animal vectors Contaminated food
What are some viral diseases?
Measles
HIV
TMV (Tobacco Mosaic Virus)
How is measles spread?
By droplets in the air, from an infected person’s sneeze or cough
What are some symptoms of measles?
Red skin rash
Fever (high temp)
Can measles be serious?
Yes, if there are complications
How is measles prevented?
Most people get vaccinated when they are young