Pathogens Flashcards
1
Q
What are the 5 types of pathogens?
A
- Viruses
- Bacteria
- Prions
- Protozoa
- Fungi
2
Q
State characteristic of viruses
A
Non-cellular pathogens (not living)
3
Q
What are all viruses contain/made up of?
A
- DNA/RNA
- Protein Coat
4
Q
State how viruses replicate
A
- Each virus infects specific cells for reproduction
- Virus enters cells and DNA/RNA enters nucleus
- Viral mRNA produces viral proteins to form new viruses
- Viruses are relased outside of cell
5
Q
State characteristic of Bacteria
A
single-celled, prokaryotic organisms (Living and have no nucleus)
6
Q
How do Bacteria cause disease?
A
- Bacteria can poduce toxins which cause harm to body
- Toxins can inhibit protein synthesis, damage cell membranes, interfere with nerve functin, cause fever or diarrhoea, etc.
7
Q
State characteristic of prions
A
- An infectious, non-cellular agent which is abnormal form of a glycoprotein normally found in host
- Contain no nucleic acid (non-living)
8
Q
How are prions formed?
A
- People cotain genes to make normal prion proteins, which are found mostly in nerve cells
- Prions is an infectious misfolded prion protein
9
Q
How do prions cause disease and what are the effects?
A
- When abnormal prion enters host and touches normal protein, it transforms it to abnormal prion
- Prions cause cell to burst and infect other cells
- Effects include: Loss of coordination, dementia and death
10
Q
What is a characteristic of protozoa?
A
- Single-celled, eukaryotic cells (Alive and have nucleus)
11
Q
What are Fungi?
A
- Varied group of small eukaryotic organisms (Alive and hav enucleus)
- Possess cell wall
12
Q
How do Fungi cause disease?
A
- Feed by extending hair-like structures (mycelium)
- These secrete digestive enzymes which break down cells and cause disease
- Digested product return back to fungi for absorbtion
