Module 4- Communicable Diseases Flashcards
how can bacteria be classified?
basic shapes, cell walls
what are the basic shapes of bacteria?
rod, spherical, comma, spiral, corkscrew
how can bacterial cell walls be identified?
Gram staining
what colour does gram-positive bacteria go when stained?
purple-blue e.g. MRSA
what colour does gram-negative bacteria go when stained?
red e.g. E.coli
why is gram staining useful?
type of cell wall affects how bacteria react to different antibiotics
what is the mode of action for bacteria?
produce toxins that poison/damage host cells:
break down cell membranes, inactivate enzymes, interfere with host genetic material=prevention of cell division
what pathogen causes ring rot?
bacteria
what species does ring rot effect?
leaves, tubers and fruit of potatoes and tomatoes
what pathogen causes tuberculosis?
bacteria
what species does TB effect?
humans, cows, pigs, badgers, deer
what is the mode of action of TB?
-damages+destroys lung tissue
-suppresses immune system∴prevents body from fighting other diseases
how do plants protect themselves from disease?
bark, waxy cuticle layer, cellulose wall- act as barriers
what does the meristem allow the plant to do?
seal of diseased tissue and sacrifice it as they are continually growing and can replace damaged parts.
what is an autoimmune disease?
one where the immune system mistakenly identifies your own cells as foreign cells rather than self cells
what are the predicted causes of autoimmune diseases?
genetics
what are some examples of autoimmune diseases?
rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes
what body part is affected with lupus?
inflammation to lining of organs
what body part is affected with rheumatoid arthritis?
damage to joints
what is the treatment for autoimmune diseases?
immunosuppressants
what body part is affected in type 1 diabetes?
destruction of pancreatic cells
what is an immunosuppressant?
treatment generally involves drugs that reduce the activity of the immune system
what are some non-specific animal defences? (keeping pathogens out)
skin, mucous membranes, lysozymes, expulsive reflexes, blood clotting, inflammatory response
how does the skin keep pathogens out?
-acts as barrier to cover whole body
-skin flora of healthy microorganisms that outcompete pathogens for space on body
-produces sebum that inhibits growth of pathogens
how do mucus membranes keep pathogens out?
-secrete sticky mucus in airways of gas exchange system
-this traps microorganisms + contains lysozymes that destroy bacterial + fungal cell walls
-mucus has phagocytes which remove remaining pathogens
how do lysozymes keep pathogens out?
destroy cell walls,, found in tears + urine + stomach acid
what are expulsive reflexes?
coughs + sneezes- eject pathogen containing mucus from gas exchange system
vomiting + diarrhoea get rid of pathogen containing substances in the gut
what is pharmacogenetics?
interweaving knowledge of drug action with personalized genetic material to produce a targeted treatment for an individual
what are the advantages of personalized medicines?
prescribe more effective and targeted drugs + reduce the time, cost, and failure rate of pharmaceutical clinical trials
what is synthetic biology?
