Module 4:Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What is a communicable disease?
A communicable disease is passed from one organism to another.
Can I delete cards?
Apparently not
Why are pathogenic bacteria harmful?
Most produce toxins that poison or damage host cells. They do this by: interrupting cell membranes, inactivate enzymes or interfere with genetic material.
What are the different shapes of bacteria?
Rod shaped, spherical, comma shaped, spiralled and corkscrew.
What are the two types of bacteria?
Gram +ve (Appear purple-blue after staining)
Gram -ve (Appear red after staining)
What is an antibiotic?
A compound that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria.
What is the name of a rod-shaped bacteria?
Bacilli
What is the name of a spherical bacteria?
cocci
What is the name of a comma-shaped bacteria?
vibrio
What is the name of a spiral-shaped bacteria?
sprilla
What is the name of a corkscrew-shaped bacteria?
spirochaete
What is the name of a virus that infects bacteria?
Bacteriophage
What does different type of cell wall change about it’s treatment?
Different antibiotics are useful.
What are protocista (protista)?
Eukaryotic organisms with a wide variety of feeding methods. They tend to either be single-cellular or a large colony of cells.
What are Fungi?
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that are often multi-cellular. Although thrush is single celled. They cannot photosynthesize and-so digest their food extracellularly and then absorb the nutrients. Some are saprophytic (feeding off dead matter). Some are parasytic.
Why are fungi lethal to plants?
Fungal infections tend to effect the leaves of a plant, preventing photosynthesis, which then prevents aerobic respiration, killing the plant quickly.
How do fungi reproduce?
They produce lots of spores, which allows for the rapid spread of the fungi.
What 3 types of pathogen directly damage host tissue?
Viruses, protoctista and fungi.
How do protoctista directly damage host tissues?
Take over cells and break them open as a new generation emerge. They don’t take over the genetic material, they digest and use the cell contents as they reproduce.
How do fungi directly damage host tissues?
Fungi digest living cells and destroy them. The bodies response to this causes the symptoms of the disease.
Why do plant diseases threaten humans?
They can cause famine and lead to the economy struggling, leading to loss of jobs. Further destruction of an ecosystem can occur.
What is Ring Rot?
A bacterial disease of potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines. Caused by a gram +ve bacteria. It damages the leaves, tubers and fruit. No cure. Can destroy up to 80% of crops. To prevent spread don’t grow crops in infected field for two years. (Ring of rot in tubers)
What is the tobacco mosaic virus?
A virus that infects tobacco plants and 150 other species. e.g tomatoes and peppers
It damages the leaves, flowers and fruit. Stunts growth and reduces yields, can lead to almost total crop loss. No cure but resistant crop strains available. (Causes mosaic pattern)
What is potato blight?
Fungus-like protoctista. Their hyphae penetrate host cells, destroy leaves, tubers and fruit. No cure. Resistant strains and careful management, chemical treatment can reduce infection risk. (Discolouration and becomes brown)
What is Black sigatoka?
pathogenic fungus. Attacks and destroys leaves. Hyphae penetrate and digest host cells, causing the leaves to turn black. If plants infected 50% reduction of crop yield. Resistant strains, good husbandry and fungicide control are used to control the spread. There is no cure.
What are the 3 types of Direct Transmission?
Direct Contact, Inoculation, ingestion
Direct Contact:
Direct skin to skin contact. Microorganisms from faeces transmitted onto hands.
Inoculation:
Direct transmission through a break in the skin. e.g from animal bites. Or through a puncture wound.
Ingestion:
Contaminated food or drink directly transferring pathogens to the mouth and digestive system.
What are the 3 types of indirect transmission?
Fomites, Droplet Infection, Vectors
Fomites:
Inanimate objects that can transfer pathogens
Droplet Infection:
Miniature droplets of saliva and mucus expelled from the mouth or nose containing pathogens.
Vectors:
A vector transmits communicable pathogens between organisms. Can be biotic and abiotic.
How to limit interspecies transmission?
Minimising close contact can reduce infection rates. Washing hands thoroughly.
What are the factors affecting the transmission of communicable diseases in animals:
overcrowding, poor nutrition, poor disposal of waste, climate change affecting vector populations, culture (traditional medicine), Socioeconomic factors (lack of trained medical staff)
What are the factors affecting the transmission of communicable diseases in plants:
Susceptible varieties, over-crowding (increases likelihood of direct contact), malnutrition, damp and warm conditions, climate change (increased rainfall and wind promote spread of disease) .