Spread of communicable diseases

Question 1

How can pathogens enter an animal?

Answer 1

• Cuts in the skin
• Digestive system
• Respiratory system
• Reproductive system

Question 2

How can pathogens spread between plants?

Answer 2

• Vectors, like bees
• Direct contact of sap
• Fungal spores carried in the wind

Question 3

How do pathogens cause disease?

Answer 3

During the incubation period, pathogens which have entered the body reproduce rapidly, and in doing so cause cell damage and toxic waste products which cause symptoms like fever, rash and sores

Question 4

What is the incubation period?

Answer 4

The time delay between pathogens entering the body and the effect of symptoms where the pathogen is usually replicating

Question 5

Can viruses replicate on their own?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

How do viruses reproduce?

Answer 6

by ‘taking over’ host organism’s cells to make more viruses

Question 7

Describe the process of viral replication.

Answer 7

Virus attacks a cell, inserts its genes into the cell, instructs the nucleus to copy the given genes, new viruses are made, cell bursts therefore releasing new viruses and destroying the cell

Question 8

How do scientists monitor a disease outbreak?

Answer 8

they study the incidence of a disease; the rate at which new cases occur in a population over a period of time