Keeping Healthy: Protection from Disease Flashcards
what are pathogens?
micro-organisems that cuase infectious diseases
what are micro-organisms?
- viruses
- bacteria
- fungi
How do pathogens make us feel ill?
- reproduce rapidly
- produce toxins
- damage cells
how does the body protect itself?
- unbroken skin
- mucus (cilia wafts mucus into stomach)
- stomach acid
how do white blood cells help to defend against pathogens?
- ingest pathogens
- produce antibodies
- produce antitoxins
phagocytes ( ingest pathogens)
- alters cell membrane to allow pathogen to be sealed off
- enzymes break down pathogen
lymphocytes (produce antibodies)
- specific antibodies complimentary to antigen of pathogen
- if in contact with pathogen again, produce antibodies rapidly
lymphocytes (produce antitoxins)
counteracts with toxins produced by pathogens
what is an antibiotic?
- a chemical which destroys bacteria
- interferes with growth of cell wall
why do antibiotics not work on viruses?
viruses reproduce inside body cells
damage cells
who discovered penicillin?
Alexander Fleming - 1928
who is recognized for handwashing?
ignaz semmelweiss
what is MRSA?
antibiotic-resistant bacteria as a result of natural selection
what is mutation?
change in genetic information of organism
what is an epidemic?
outbreak of disease in a country
what is a pandemic?
outbreak of disease in many countries
how does a vaccination work?
- an attenuated version of pathogen injected into blood
- white blood cells produce antibodies
- immune to future infection - body responds quickly by producing more antibodies
what does MMR protect against?
- measles
- mumps
- rubella
reasons for MMR
- saves money - parents dont need to take time off
- prevents symptoms in future
reasons against MMR
- concerns on effect of brain/ autism (mercury)
- no point - mumps/rubella not in UK
