Infectious Agents

Question 1

What are the 5 main types of infectious agents?

Answer 1

Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Protozoa
Helminthes

Question 2

Example of a pathogenic virus and the disease it causes

Answer 2

Influenza virus, causes the flu

Question 3

Example of a pathogenic bacterium and the disease it causes

Answer 3

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causes tuberculosis

Question 4

Example of a pathogenic fungus and the disease it causes

Answer 4

Aspergillus fumigatus, causes aspergillosis

Question 5

Example of a pathogenic protozoa and the disease it causes

Answer 5

Leishmania spp (parasite), causes leishmaniasis (sand fly vector)

Question 6

Example of a pathogenic Helminth and the disease it causes

Answer 6

Schistosoma spp (parasites), causes schistosomiasis

Question 7

Main distinguishing features and replication method of viruses

Answer 7

Obligate parasites, take over host nuclear synthetic machinery, divide by budding out of cell. Can congregate in liver then spontaneously release causing fever spike.

Question 8

Main distinguishing features and replication method of bacteria

Answer 8

Prokaryotes, replicate by binary fission. 3 types: Bacillus (rod) Coccus (round) Spirillus (spiral).

Question 9

Main distinguishing features and replication method of fungi

Answer 9

Single-celled eukaryotes. Spores spread and grow. Systemic infection affects immunocompromised people.

Question 10

Main distinguishing features and replication method of protozoa

Answer 10

Singled celled eukaryotes. May have complex life cycles and multiple hosts, eg malaria with humans and mosquitoes

Question 11

Main distinguishing features and replication method of Helminthes

Answer 11

Multicelled organisms, flatworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Life cycles outside of host and transmitted by vectors.