The Body At War- Diseases Flashcards
Disease
any change that impairs the function of an individual in some way and causes harm to the individual
Non-infectious disease
a disease that cannot be spread from one organism to another
Infectious disease
a disease that is contagious (can be spread from one organism to another) and caused by a pathogen
Pathogen
a disease-producing organism
Cellular pathogens
a pathogen that is made up of cells, such as a tapeworm, fungus or bacterium
Non-cellular pathogens
a pathogen that is not made up of cells, such as a virus, prion or viroid
Quarantine
strict isolation of sick people from others for a period of time (originally 40 days) in order to prevent the spread of disease
Vectors
an organism that carries a pathogen between other organisms without being affected by the disease the pathogen causes; an organism that carries and disperses reproductive structures (e.g. pollen) of a different species
Parasite
organism that lives in or on another organism. The parasite benefits while usually harming the host organism.
Host
organism living in a relationship with another organism. The host supplies something needed by the other organism (called the parasite).
Primary host
the organism that a parasite lives in or on in its adult stage
Intermediate host
the organism that a parasite lives in or on in its larval stage; also known as secondary host
Secondary host
see intermediate host
Endoparasites
parasite that lives inside the body of its host organism
Ectoparasites
parasite that lives outside the body of its host organism
