Pathogens Flashcards
What are the six groups that diseases-causing microbes belong to?
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protists
Worms
Prions
What environment do bacteria inhabit?
A variety of environments, prefer mild temp of human body
What do some bacteria do once in the body?
They can reside in the body until immune defence is too weak
Label diagram of bacteria
On sheet
How can bacteria cause illness?
Disrupting cell growth
Invading tissues
Releases exotoxins that poison the organism
Have endotoxins on outer membrane
Name a type of exotoxin
Botulism
Name a type of exotoxin
Salmonella
What are viruses?
Small microbes that consist of one or more DNA molecules, which contain the genes surrounded by a protein coat
Are viruses cells?
No
How do viruses cause disease?
They invade living normal cells, then multiple and produce other viruses like themselves
Why are there specific types of viruses?
Each one will specifically attack particular cells in organs, systems, etc.
What is a single virus particle?
A virion
How do viruses cause disease?
They invade living normal cells, then multiply and produce other viruses like themselves
What role does a virion play when causing disease?
They come in contact with a cell by attaching to landing sites on the surface.
The virus can either inject molecules into the cell or the cell swallows the virion (via phagocytosis)
Once inside, viral molecules (DNA or RNA) direct the cell to make virus offspring
What viruses can infect bacteria?
Bacteriophages
