Infectious Diseases PT.1 Flashcards
Pathogen
A microorganism that causes disease
Virus
A microorganism that takes over our body cells and rapidly reproduces inside of them causing disease
Bacteria
Single called microorganisms that reproduce very rapidly. Some are useful but others can release toxins and cause disease
Fungi
A wide variety of organisms that reproduce by spores, including mushrooms and molds
Protist
Organisms that don’t fit in plants, bacteria, animal or fungi. Basically misc.
Toxin
A poison produced by bacterial cells that make us feel the symptoms of disease
Physical barriers
Defense mechanisms we have to prevent pathogens from entering the blood
Antimicrobial secretion
A fluid released from glands that help to kill microbes
Cilia and mucus
These line our airways. Pathogens get trapped in the mucus, and the cilia beat to waft the pathogen away from the lungs
Stomach acid
This Serves to kill any pathogens in the food that we eat
Immune system
The body system that recognizes and destroys foreign cells proteins, such as invading pathogens
Phagocytosis
White blood cells call phagocytes engulf pathogens and release enzymes to break them down
Antigen
The unique protein marker on every cell that identifies it to bed “self” (belonging to the body) or “foreign”
Antibody
A specific molecule called lymphocyte. They attach on to complimentary antigens and destroy pathogens
Antitoxin
A molecule that binds onto the toxins produced by some pathogens and neutralizes them
Vaccination
The introduction of dead or weakened pathogens to simulate the production of antibodies by the white blood cells. This makes the person immune in the future
Memory cell
These remain in our blood once our immune system has has detected and destroyed a pathogen and lead to immunity
Primary immune response
The first time we encounter a pathogen the response is slow and a relatively small number of pathogens are produced. It takes longer to kill the pathogen.
Secondary immune response
The second time we encounter the same pathogen, due to memory cells, antibody production is very rapid and due to this the time to destroy the pathogen is quick.
Herd immunity
When a significant amount of the population is vaccinated, there is less chance of coming into contact with someone infected. Lowering the spread on the disease
