fungal and viral pathogens quick flashcards

what are fungi

eukaryotes: chitin cell wall, use organic chemicals for energy

have mycelia which are composed of filaments called hyphae

what are superficial mycoses

fungal disease

localized eg. hair shafts

what are cutaneous mycoses

fungal disease

affect hair, skin, nails

what are subcutaneous mycoses

fungal disease

are beneath the skin

what are systemic mycoses

fungal disease

deep within the body

what do trichothecene toxins do

inhibit protein synthesis

what can cryptococcus neoformans do

capsule prevents phagocytosis

causes meningitis

what is ergot toxin

from claviceps purpurea

characterized by ganger, nervous spasms, temporary insanity, etc

what is aflatoxin

from aspergillus

can be carcinogenic

what are mycotoxins

neurotxins : phalloidin, amanitin

amanita phalloides

what are algae

contain chlorophyll and carry out oxygenic photosynthesis

what is gonyaulax

neurotoxin

kills fish and humans, but harmless to shellfish

what is pfeisteria

neurotoxin

causes lesions - has been known to kill billions of fish

what is a virus

non living infections particle

consists of DNA or RNA core surrounded by a capsid (protein coat)

coat may be enclosed in lipid envelope

obligate intracellular parasites - only can replicate within a host cell

what are bacteriophages

viruses that infect bacteria

most common biological entities on earth

can help with bacterial resistance

what is the lytic cycpe

the virus replicates and bursts the host cell

what is the lysogenic life cycle

the viral DNA integrates into host DNA

what is the influenza virus

respiratory infections caused by influenza virus

H (Hemagglutinin) & N (Neuraminidase) proteins determine flu subtypes

eg H1N1 (swine flu)

what are prions

slow acting infectious proteins, cause brain diseases in mammals

convert normal proteins into deformed, abnormal proteins

eg scrapie, mad cow disease

why are prions so dangerous

resistsant to heat, UV, chemicals

no known cure - always fatal

how does the coronavirus infect cells

spike (S) protein allows SARS-CoV-2 to bind to ACE2 receptors in human cells

virus enters cells, replicates, spreads

what is the main target for vaccines

spike protein

vaccine concerns

some vaccines (eg M + E protein-based) showed poor immunity

risk of enhance respiratory disease with some vaccine designs