Pathogens and immunity 1 and 3 Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
A microorganism that causes disease
What is transmission?
The passing of pathogens from one host to another
What is infection?
The entry of pathogen into the body
What is a host?
The oragnism in which the pathogen lives and breeds
What is a vector?
An organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another
What is direct transmission?
Happens through direct contact with people
What is indirect transmission?
Happens through indirect contact. No contact with people
Why does a person feel very ill right after they are infected with a pathogen?
There is a time lag between when lymphocytes are cloninng themselves to produce more antibodies to destroy the pathogen and when the pathogen is increasing in number
Why are memory cells important for the immune response?
They allow the immune system to ‘remember’ how to make specific antibodies. When the person is infected again there is a rapid and strong response from the immune system
What happens during the first infection with a pathogen?
It takes a while for lymphocytes to make enough antibodies to attack the pathogen
What happens during the second infection with a pathogen?
Memory cells (lymphocytes) quickly make the correct antibody and attack the bacteria quickly before numbers grow too quickly
What is a vaccine?
A dead or innactive pathogen that is injected into the body to stimulate antibody production
What is active immunity?
Making your own antibodies and memory cells that protect against a disease
What is passive immunity?
Being given antibodies that have been made by another organism
What is an autoimmune disease?
When your immune system recognises your own cells as foreign, such as in Type 1 diabetes.
