The 4 Pathogens

Question 1

Define Pathogen

Answer 1

A microbe which causes communicable disease

Question 2

What are the four Pathogens?

Answer 2

Viruses, Protists, Fungi and Bacteria

Question 3

What are Bacteria?

Answer 3

Are very small cells (1/100th the size of a body cell), which reproduce rapidly in your body

Question 4

How do Bacteria make you feel ill?

Answer 4

By releasing toxins that damage cells and tissues

Question 5

What are Viruses?

Answer 5

Are not cells. about 1/00th the size of a bacterium.

Question 6

How do viruses reproduce?

Answer 6

They live inside your cells reproducing rapidly (using the cells machinery) until the cell bursts

Question 7

How do Viruses make you feel ill?

Answer 7

By killing cells or disrupting cell function

Question 8

What are Protists?

Answer 8

There are lots of different types but they are all eukaryotes and most are single-celled. Some are parasites

Question 9

How can some Protists (parasites) make you feel ill?

Answer 9

Parasites live on or inside other organisms and can cause damage

Question 10

What are Fungi?

Answer 10

Some fungi are single-celled others have a body that is made up of hyphae.

Question 11

How can fungi made up of hyphae spread?

Answer 11

The hyphae can produce spores which spread to other animals and plants in wind and water.

Question 12

What are hyphae?

Answer 12

Thread like structures

Question 13

How can Fungi make you feel ill?

Answer 13

The hyphae can grow and penetrate human skin and the surface of plants, causing diseases.

Question 14

What are the six main ways diseases are transmitted? And name one disease that is transmitted each way.

Answer 14

• In the air (droplets) e.g. Influenza virus
• Vectors (an organism that spreads the disease but doesn’t get itself) e.g. Malaria
• Contaminated water or food e.g. Salmonella
• Direct contact e.g. athletes foot
• Bodily fluids e.g. HIV
• Animals e.g. rabies