Types of pathogens + simple terminology Flashcards
What is a pathogen?
a pathogen is an agent that causes infectious diseases
What is bacteria?
- bacteria is a prokaryotic microorganisms
- Multiples by binary fission, releases mycotoxin causing diseases
- Contains cell wall and membrane
Eg of diseases: tetanus (lockjaw)
What is viruses?
- a virus contains genetic material that is surrounded by a protein coat
- Needs a host to reproduce
- Targets hosts cell inserting genetic material and spreads
Eg: coronavirus, influenza, polio
What is prions?
- Non cellular abnormal proteins
- Attacks healthy folded proteins with
its misfolding shape - Has no genetic material
- non living pathogen that do not contain DNA or RNA. It is a defective
protein molecule that mostly attacks brain or nerve cells.
Eg: creutzfeldt - Jakob disease (humans) or mad cow disease
What is protozoa?
- Unicellular eukaryotes
- Contains cell membrane organelles
- Parasitic nature (depends on host)
Eg of diseases: malaria
What is fungi?
- Unicellular eukaryotic microorganism
- Reproduces in spores
- Forms fury colonies
- Live in moist environments
Eg: tinea (athlete foot)
macroparasites are classified as multicelluar eukaryotes. Describe ‘endoparasites’, and ‘ectoparasites’
Ectoparasites: ectoparasites are pathogens that typically live on the skin of as host. for eg, mosquitos, fleas, ticks, leeches etc.
Endoparasites: endoparasites are pathogens that live inside the body such as tapeworms and flukes.
Terminology:
define ‘macro - organism”
is an organism that is large enough and can be seen visually to the human eye. They are multicellular eukaryotic organisms that may live internally and externally in the host.
Terminology:
define ‘Microorganism’
microorganism is an organism that is not visible to the human eye and rather seen from a microscope view point.
Terminology:
define ‘Zoonotic’
transferred between humans and animals
Terminology:
define ‘Virulence ‘
virulence refers to the measure of severity from a disease that a pathogen can create.
