Pathogens and Diseases Flashcards
Learn about pathogens, the diseases they cause and the body's way of dealing with them
name 3 diseases caused by viruses
Measles, AIDS, Flu
name two symptoms of measles
fever, redskin
name 3 sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s)
HIV/AIDS, Gonorrhoea, Thrush, Herpes etc…
Name the 4 types of pathogen
Fungus, bacteria, protist, virus
Define pathogen
any microorganism that causes disease
Define antibodies
created by the white cells, they respond to specific antigens by combining with foreign substances e.g. viruses to help destroy them
define antigen
the unique protein on the surface of the cell. recognised by the immune system as ‘self’ or ‘non-self’
define lymphocyte
a type of white cell that defends the body against infection
define antitoxin
an antibody formed in response to and capable or neutralising a specific toxin from and invading pathogen
define phagocytosis
the process by which a cell, such as a white cell, engulfs/ingests microorganisms, other cells and foreign particles
define communicable disease
a disease which is infectious and can be spread through contact, water or air
describe antibody production
- White blood cells called lymphocytes detect the antigens on the surface of a pathogen
- The lymphocyte gradually produces antibodies that are a complementary shape to the antigens
- Antibodies are released from the lymphocyte
- The antibodies bind to the antigens
- The pathogens are clumped together
- The pathogens can be destroyed
What are the three main ways that white cells combat pathogens or their toxins and what do they do?
- Antibodies: specific response
- Antitoxins: react with, you guessed it, toxins
- Phagocytes: engulf pathogens
Draw (in the air with your finger if you must) a line graph of the antibody levels during vaccination and when the body comes into contact with them again.
[from the bottom, goes up a bit, the down slightly quicker then, when the body comes into contact again, goes up very high and steeply, before slightly trailing off at the end]
Describe how vaccination works
When the vaccination is given, a dead or inactive pathogen is injected. The body’s white cells then produce the correct antibodies, antitoxins and phagocytes to destroy the dead pathogen. In addition, the body releases memory cells to remember what ‘to do’ the next time the body comes into contact with the pathogen.
