P1: Infection And Response Flashcards
What are the four main types of pathogen?
Virus, bacteria, fungi, protist.
What is a pathogen?
A microorganism that causes disease.
What do viruses do inside cells?
Live and reproduce, causing cell damage.
What are the different methods of transmission of a disease?
Direct contact, water, air, unhygienic food preparation and vector.
What is the name for a disease caused by a pathogen?
Communicable disease.
What is the name of an infected plant or animal?
A host.
What do bacteria do?
Produce toxins that damage tissues and make us feel ill.
What type of disease is HIV/AIDS?
Virus
How is HIV/AIDS transmitted?
By exchange of bodily fluids.
What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
Initially, mild flu-like symptoms. Eventually attacks the immune system.
What is the treatment for HIV/AIDS?
No vaccine currently, but infected people are given antiviral drugs which can slow the development of AIDS.
What type of disease is tobacco mosaic disease?
Virus
How is Tobacco Mosaic Virus transmitted?
By contact between plants, or through the hands of farmers
What is the cure for Tobacco Mosaic Virus?
No cure. Some plants have developed resistance, but otherwise farmers have to try and reduce the infection.
What does Tobacco Mosaic Virus do to the plant?
Infects the chloroplasts and changes the colour from green to yellow/white in a mosaic pattern. Reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesise and grow properly.
What type of disease is Measles?
Viral
How is Measles transmitted?
Through the air in tiny droplets after an infected person sneezes.
What are the symptoms of Measles?
Fever and skin rash. In rare cases it can cause blindness.
What is the treatment for Measles?
Children are given vaccines against measles.
What type of disease is Gonorrhoea?
Bacterial
How is Gonorrhoea transmitted?
Sexual contact with the genitalia, anus or mouth of an infected partner.
What are the symptoms of Gonorrhoea?
-Burning pain on urination
-Thick yellow or green discharge
-Infertility
What is the treatment for Gonorrhoea?
Antibiotics. However, many are no longer as effective as they used to be because the bacteria is evolving to become resistant.
What type of disease is Salmonella?
Bacteria
How is Salmonella transmitted?
By eating food that contains the bacteria. Food can become contaminated with it if it is prepared in unhygienic conditions.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella?
Abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever.
How is Salmonella treated?
Antibiotics, however preventative measures are also taken. All poultry are vaccinated against it in the UK. Cooking food thoroughly after preparing it in hygienic conditions is the best way to avoid illness.
What type of disease is Malaria?
Protist
What are the symptoms of Malaria?
Fever, sweats and chills, headaches, vomiting and diarrhoea.
How is Malaria spread?
Plasmodium protist enters the mosquito (the vector), from the bloodstream of an infected person. The mosquito lands on another human and sucks blood from them, while the plasmodium enter the bloodstream. The human is the host.
How is Malaria treated?
There is no vaccination for it. Infection can only be prevented by sleeping under mosquito nets and wearing insect repellent. Antimalarial drugs can also be taken which treat the symptoms.
What type of disease is Athlete’s Foot?
Fungal.
How is Athlete’s Foot treated?
Antifungal medication.
What are the symptoms of athlete’s foot?
Dry, red and flaky or white, wet and cracked skin.