Topic 5 viruses and diseases Flashcards
Describe the lytic pathway?
- Virus attaches to specific host cell and injects genetic material
- Virus uses proteins and enzymes in host cells to replicate GM
- Components for new virus assemble
- Host cell splits open, releasing new viruses to infect more cells
Describe the lysogenic pathway?
- The injected GM is incorporated into genome of host cell
- Viral GM and host DNA replicate when host cell divides but virus remains inactive. (no new viruses being made)
- Trigger (chemical) causes GM to leave genome of the host cell and enter the lytic pathway
Why does the Chlamydia bacterium behave like a virus?
Because it can only reproduce inside host cells
How can the spread of Chlamydia be reduced?
- By wearing a condom during sex
- screening individuals so they can be treated
- or avoiding sexual contact
What is HIV?
A virus which kills white blood cells (these are needed to trigger an immune response, so it can make a person very vulnerable to infections by other pathogens)
How is HIV spread?
Through bodily fluids
How can HIV be prevented?
- Use a condom during sex
- Drug users should avoid sharing needles
- an infected person should be screened so they have receive proper treatment and medication.
How does the waxy leaf cuticle of a plant protect it from pests and pathogens?
- the waxy leaf cuticle provides a barrier to stop pathogens entering
- stops water collecting on leaf. (this reduces risk of infection from pathogens that enter plant through water)
How does the cell wall protect a plant from pests and pathogens?
they form a barrier against pathogens that make it past the waxy cuticle
How do plants protect themselves against pests and pathogens through chemicals?
- produce chemicals called antiseptics which kill bacteria and fungal pathogens
- also produce chemicals to deter pests from feeding on leaves
What are antigens?
they are molecules on a pathogens surface
How can detecting antigens be used to detect pathogens in plants?
they can be detected in a sample of plant tissue (using monoclonal antibodies) and as they are unique to a certain pathogen, the pathogens can be identified and the disease diagnosed
How can detecting DNA identify pathogens in infected plants?
A pathogens DNA would be present in the plants tissue, which can be detected through special techniques. This would allow for the particular pathogen present to be identified
How are plant diseases detected and identified in the field?
- Through observations. (looking at symptoms)
- Analysing distribution of affected plants (e.g random distribution may suggest airborne pathogen)
- Eliminating environmental causes
How do the physical barriers in the body protect us from pathogens?
- Skin - barrier to pathogens. (blood clots heal cuts to keep microorganisms out)
- Hair and Mucus (in nose, trachea and bronchi) trap particles that could contain pathogens
- Contains cilia to waft mucus back up throat and away from lungs
What are the chemical barriers that defend us against pathogens?
- Stomach has HCL that kills most pathogens swallowed
2. Eyes produce lysozyme in tears which kill bacteria on surface of the eye
What are B-lymphocytes?
a type of white blood cell that helps protect the body against pathogens
How do B-lymphocytes protect us from pathogens?
When they come across an antigen, they produce proteins called antibodies. These lock on to the antigens so they can be destroyed. antibodies are then produced rapidly and flow around the body to find other similar pathogens
What are memory lymphocytes?
Antigens trigger production of memory lymphocytes. they stay in the body and remember a specific antigen. Therefore, they make a person immune as their system is able to respond much quicker to transmitted pathogens.
How can a person be immunised through the use of an inactive form of a pathogen?
- Inject a dead or inactive pathogen into the body
- The body will make antibodies to destroy them even though they are inactive. (they have antigens)
- The antigens also trigger memory lymphocytes
- So if the pathogen enters the body again, the memory lymphocytes can cause a faster secondary immune response
What are the pros of immunisation?
- They prevent epidemics as even those who aren’t immunised are less likely to catch it as there as less people to pass it on. (Herd plImmunity)
- Some diseases, e.g smallpox, have been wiped out due to immunisation
What are the cons of immunisation?
It doesn’t always give you immunity and it may sometimes give allergic reactions (swelling, fever, seizures)
What can antibiotics only be used to treat?
Bacterial infections as antibiotics only inhibits processes in bacterial cells, and not in the host organism/cells
Explain some aseptic techniques used in culturing microorganisms in the lab.
- Petri dishes and growth mediums must be sterilised before use. Can be done by using an autoclave (uses steam at a high pressure and temp to kill and microorganisms present)
- Before being used to transfer bacteria, inoculating loop should be sterilised by putting it through hot flame
- Liquid bacterial cultures should be covered and kept in a vial with a lid. Keep closed unless transferring bacteria
- After transferring bacteria, Petri dish should be covered with tightly taped lid to stop micros from air getting in.
- Store dish upside down to stop condensation falling into agar
How can you grow bacteria in a lab?
- You grow them in a growth medium (solid agar jelly) in a petri dish.
- Should form visible colonies, as they have multiplied, on surface of agar jelly
- Keep micros at 25 as harmful pathogens are less likely to grow at this temp. (scientists are able to though to provide optimum conditions for growth.
What is the equation used to calculate cross-sectional areas of bacterial cultures and agar jelly?
Area = 3.14 * r *r