Microbes and Disease Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
Any microorganism that causes an infectious disease
Name the 3 types of microorganism that can be pathogens.
Virus
Bacteria
Fungi
Which diseases are caused by a virus?
Flu
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Which diseases are caused by a bacteria?
Salmonella (food poisoning)
Tonsillitis
Tuberculosis (TB)
How can pathogens spread?
Droplets
Animals (bites)
Food
Touch
How can the body prevent pathogens from entering
Skin Tears Ear wax Mucus Stomach acid
What does the body produce if pathogens get inside it
White blood cells
Name 3 ways that white blood cells stop pathogens
Engulf to kill
Produce antibodies to kill
Produce anti toxins to stop toxins harming us
What do white blood cells produce to kill pathogens?
Antibodies
What do antibodies do?
Kill pathogens
What can viruses and bacteria produce to make us feel unwell?
Toxins
What do pathogens have which identifies them?
Antigens
White blood cells have a _________ which can remember how to make antibodies in case the pathogen ever comes back.
memory
What does an antitoxin do?
Stops toxins from making use feel unwell
Name some symptoms of being infected by a pathogen
Headache
Fever
Feeling sick
How do bacteria make us feel unwell?
Multiply rapidly
Release toxins
How do viruses make us feel unwell?
Multiply inside cell damaging them
Release toxins
What is a vaccination/immunisation?
An injection of dead/weakened pathogen which gives protection against the pathogen
Describe the steps involved in vaccination/immunisation
- Injection of dead/weakened pathogen
- White blood cells produce antibodies to kill pathogen
- White blood cells produce antitoxin to stop toxins
- White blood cells remember how to kill it
- Antibodies rapidly produced if real pathogen infect you
What can overuse of antibiotics lead to?
Resistant strains of bacteria
Antibiotics do not work on…
viruses
The ideal temperature to grow bacteria in a school is
25 degrees celsius
Why would you not grow bacteria in a school above 25 degrees celsius?
Because you could grow pathogens
Why do antibiotics not cure a cold/flu?
because cold/flu is caused by a virus
antibiotics do not work on viruses
What can be given to ease the symptoms of flu?
painkillers e.g. paracetamol
Antibiotic resistance means…
…that antibiotics will not work on the bacteria
How can we prevent antibiotic resistant bacteria developing as fast?
Reduce antibiotic use by people
Don’t use antibiotics on farm animals
Good hygiene (washing hands etc.)
Name the medicine that kills bacteria
antibiotics
