Infections And Response Flashcards
What are pathogens?
“Microorganisms that cause disease (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists). Spread via water, air, or direct contact.”
Name three ways pathogens can spread.
“1. Airborne droplets (sneezing) 2. Contaminated water/food 3. Direct contact (e.g., HIV).”
What causes measles and its symptoms?
“Virus causing fever, red rash. Spread by droplets; prevented by MMR vaccine.”
What is HIV/AIDS?
“Virus destroying white blood cells, weakening immunity. Spread via bodily fluids (e.g., blood, sexual contact).”
How is gonorrhoea spread and treated?
“Bacterial STD. Symptoms: pain, discharge. Treated with antibiotics (e.g., penicillin). Resistant strains exist.”
What is rose black spot, what does it cause and what type of disease is it?
A fungal disease on roses causing black spots, yellow leaves, and leaf drop. Spread in wet conditions; controlled by removing infected leaves and using fungicide.
What is malaria and how is it spread?
“Protist disease. Symptoms: fever, chills. Spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes (vectors).”
How do viruses damage cells?
“Reproduce inside cells, bursting them (lysis), releasing new viruses to infect others.”
Name three human defense systems.
“1. Skin barrier 2. Stomach acid 3. White blood cells (phagocytosis, antibodies, antitoxins).”
What is phagocytosis?
“White blood cells engulf and digest pathogens (non-specific immune response).”
How do antibodies work?
“Proteins bind to antigens on pathogens, marking them for destruction (specific immune response).”
What are antitoxins?
“Chemicals produced by white blood cells to neutralize toxins released by pathogens.”
What is vaccination?
“Introducing inactive/dead pathogen to stimulate antibody production, providing immunity.”
What is herd immunity?
“When most are vaccinated, reducing spread to unvaccinated people (protects vulnerable groups).”
Why do antibiotics not work on viruses?
“Viruses replicate inside cells; antibiotics target bacterial processes (e.g., cell wall synthesis).”
What is antibiotic resistance?
“Bacteria evolve (mutations) to survive antibiotics. Example: MRSA. Caused by overuse.”
How are new drugs developed?
“1. Preclinical (lab/animal tests) 2. Clinical trials (healthy volunteers → patients) 3. Peer review.”
What are placebos?
“Inactive substances used in trials to compare drug effectiveness (double-blind trials reduce bias).”
How do painkillers differ from antibiotics?
“Painkillers relieve symptoms but don’t kill pathogens; antibiotics kill bacteria.”
How are plant diseases detected?
“1. Stunted growth 2. Discoloration 3. Lab tests (DNA analysis) 4. Gardening manuals.”
What causes nitrate deficiency in plants?
A: Nitrate deficiency in plants is caused by a lack of nitrogen in the soil. This can happen if the soil is not fertilized properly, or if plants absorb more nitrogen than the soil can replenish. Symptoms include yellowing of older leaves and poor growth.
What causes magnesium deficiency in plants?
A: Magnesium deficiency is caused by low levels of magnesium in the soil, often due to poor soil quality or excessive rainfall that leaches nutrients. Symptoms include yellowing between leaf veins, starting with older leaves.
Name three physical plant defenses.
“1. Cellulose cell walls 2. Waxy cuticle 3. Thorns/hairs.”
Name two chemical plant defenses.
“1. Antibacterial chemicals (e.g., mint) 2. Poisons (e.g., tobacco plant).”
