Unit 4.1- Communicable diseases Flashcards
Examples of diseases caused by bacteria:
- TB
- Bacterial meningitis
- Ring rot (plants)
Examples of diseases caused by viruses:
- HIV/AIDS
- Influenza
- Tobacco mosaic virus (plants)
Examples of diseases caused by fungi:
- Black sigatoka (bananas)
- Ringworm (cattle)
- Athlete’s foot
Examples of diseases caused by protacista:
- Blight (tomatoes and potatoes)
- Malaria
Vector definition:
An organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another
What is the life cycle of a pathogen?
- Travel from one host to another (transmission)
- Entering the host’s tissues
- Reproducing
- Leaving the host’s tissues
Examples of plants’ physical defences against pathogens:
- Cellulose cell wall
- Lignin thickening of cell walls
- Waxy cuticles
- Bark
- Stomatal closure
- Callose
- Tylose
How is a cellulose cell wall a plant’s defence against pathogens?
Physical barrier and contains a variety of chemical defences that can be activated when a pathogen is detected
How is lignin thickening of cell walls a plant’s defence against pathogens?
Waterproof and almost completely indigestable
How are waxy cuticles a plant’s defence against pathogens?
Prevent water collecting on the cell surfaces. Pathogens collect in water and need it to survive
How is bark a plant’s defence against pathogens?
Contains chemical defences
How is stomatal closure a plant’s defence against pathogens?
Stomata are possible points of entry for pathogens. Guard cells will close the stomata of pathogens are detected
How is callose a plant’s defence against pathogens?
Callose is a large polysaccharide deposit that blocks old phloem sieve tubes. This can prevent pathogens from spreading around the plant
How is tylose formation a plant’s defence against pathogens?
Tylose is a balloon like swelling or projection that fills the xylem vessel. When a tylose is fully formed, it plugs the vessel so it can’t transport water. This prevents the spread of pathogens. The tylose also contains a high concentration of chemicals that are toxic to pathogens
Examples of plants’ chemical defences against pathogens:
- Terpenoids
- Phenols
- Alkaloids
- Hydrolytic enzymes
Why are many chemicals not produced until after the plant detects infection?
The production of chemicals requires a lot of energy
Examples of active defences in plants:
- Cell walls becoming thicker and strengthened with additional cellulose
- Deposition of callose between the plant cell wall and cell membrane near the invading pathogen
- Oxidative bursts that produce highly reactive oxygen molecules capable of damaging the cells of invading pathogens
- An increase in the production of chemicals
- Necrosis
- Canker
How is the chemical Terpenoids an active defence for plants against infection?
Have a range of essential oils that have antibacterial and antifungal properties. They may also create scent.
How is the chemical Phenols an active defence for plants against infection?
Have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
How are tannins an active defence for plants against infection?
Found in bark and inhibit attack by insects. They bind to salivary proteins, deactivating the enzymes. Insects that ingest high amounts of tannins do not grow and will eventually die
How are alkaloids an active defence for plants against infection?
They give a bitter taste to prevent herbivores feeding. Some inhibit protein synthesis, this prevents grazing by larger animals, so reduces damage
How are defensive proteins (defensins) an active defence for plants against infection?
These are small cysteine-rich proteins that have broad anti-microbial activity. They act on molecules in the plasma membrane of pathogens, possibly inhibiting the action of ion transport channels.
How are hydrolytic enzymes an active defence for plants against infection?
Found in the spaces between cells. They include:
- Chitinases: break down the chitin found in fungal cell walls
- Glucanases: hydrolyse the glycosidic bonds in glucans
- Lysozymes: capable of degrading bacterial cell walls
Necrosis definition:
Deliberate cell suicide. By killing cells surrounding infection, the plant can limit the pathogen’s access to water and nutrients.
What is necrosis brought about by?
Intracellular enzymes that are activated by injury. The enzymes destroy damaged cells and produce black spots on leaves.
Canker definition:
A sunken necrotic lesion in the woody tissue such as the main stem or branch. It causes death of the cambium tissue in the bark
Inflammation definition:
Swelling and redness of tissue caused by infection
Mucous membrane definition:
Specialised epithelial tissue that is covered by mucous
Primary defences definition:
Those that prevent pathogens entering the body
Are primary defences specific?
No, they prevent entry of any type of pathogen
What is the main primary defence?
The skin
How does the skin as as a defense against pathogens?
Keratinocytes are produced my mitosis at the base of the epidermis. They then migrate out to the surface of the skin. As they migrate, they dry out and their cytoplasm is replaced by keratin. This process is called keratinisation and takes about 30 days. By the time the cells have reached the surface they are no longer alive and they act as an effective barrier to pathogens. Eventually the dead cells slough off
How does a scab work?
It shrinks as it dries, drawing the sides of the cut together. This makes a temporary seal, underwhich the skin is repaired
How is skin repaired under a scab?
- There is deposition of fibrous collagen under the skin
- Stem cells in the epidermis then divide by mitosis to form new cells which migrate to the edges of the cut and differentiate to form new skin
- New blood vessels grow to supply oxygen and nutrients to the new tissues
- The tissues contract to help draw the edges of a cut together so that repair can be completed
- As the new skin is completed the scab will be released
Why are the airways, lungs and digestive system at risk of infection?
The exchange surfaces are thinner and less well protected from pathogens
What are the airways, lungs and digestive system protected from pathogens by?
Mucous membranes
What do mucous membranes consist of?
The epithelial layer contains goblet cells. There are also extra mucous secreting glands under the epithelium