Topic 5 - Pathogens and Disease Flashcards
1
Q
What causes communicable diseases?
A
Microorganisms called pathogens
2
Q
What causes the most communicable diseases in humans?
A
bacteria and virus
3
Q
What causes the most diseases in plants?
A
fungi and virus
4
Q
What happens when bacteria or viruses enter the body?
A
They reproduce rapidly
5
Q
How does bacteria make you feel ill?
A
By producing toxins and may also damage the body cells
6
Q
What do bacteria and viruses do to the cell?
A
Damage and destroy them
7
Q
In what ways can pathogens be spread?
A
- Air
- Direct Contact
- Water
8
Q
How can pathogens be spread by air?
A
- Spores can be spread through the air from one animal or plant to another
- Coughing and sneezing = the droplets of water carry the pathogen and are inhaled by another person
9
Q
What is droplet infection?
A
When a pathogen is passed to another person through water droplets from coughing or sneezing and is inhaled by the other
10
Q
How can pathogens be spread by direct contact?
A
- Sexually transmitted infections (STI) by sexual contact
- By skin contact or entering by a cut, scratch or needle puncture
- Animals like mosquitoes can act as vectors and carry the pathogen from one individual to another- If a portion of a diseased plant is left in a field it could infect the whole crop
11
Q
How can pathogens be spread by water?
A
- Drinking contaminated water which allows pathogens to enter the digestive system
- Fungal spores in splashes of water can spread plant disease
