Magnet Medical Science Unit 3A Test

exogenous

growing or originating from outside an organism, diseases caused by microorganisms

endogenous

growing or originating from within an organisms, genetic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease

gram (-)

stained pink/red, because they have a thinner peptidoglycan wall, which does not retain the stain well

gram (+)

stain purple/violet due to the presence of a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls

bacteria

single celled, prokaryotic organisms that can be found in many environments, reproduce through binary fission and can cause infections like strep throat

viruses

acellular nonliving pathogens that are composed of genetic material enclosed in a protein coat, require a host cell to produce, can cause diseases like the flu

What are bacteria?

Bacteria are single-celled, prokaryotic organisms that can be found in various environments and reproduce through binary fission.

What are viruses?

Viruses are acellular, nonliving pathogens made of genetic material within a protein coat, requiring a host to replicate.

What are fungi?

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, including molds and yeast, and can cause infections like athlete's foot.

What are bacteria?

Bacteria are single-celled, prokaryotic organisms that can reproduce independently and exist in various environments.

What are viruses?

Viruses are acellular, nonliving pathogens made of genetic material inside a protein coat and require a host cell for replication.

What are fungi?

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, including yeasts and molds.

What are helminths?

Helminths are large, multicellular parasites, such as worms, that can infect the host's intestines.

What are ectoparasites?

Ectoparasites are parasites that live on the external surface of a host, like lice and fleas.

What are protozoa?

Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotic organisms, some of which can cause diseases like malaria.

What are prions?

Prions are misfolded proteins that can induce other proteins to misfold, causing neurodegenerative diseases.

Bacteria structure characteristics

Bacteria are prokaryotic and have a cellular structure with a peptidoglycan cell wall.

Viruses structure characteristics

Viruses are acellular, lacking cellular structure, with genetic material enclosed in a protein coat.

Bacteria reproduction method

Bacteria reproduce asexually through binary fission.

Viruses reproduction method

Viruses replicate by hijacking a host cell's machinery.

Bacterial treatment methods

Bacterial infections are often treated with antibiotics.

Viral treatment methods

Viral infections are managed with antivirals and supportive care.

Endogenous diseases defined

Endogenous diseases arise from within the body, often due to genetic factors.

Exogenous diseases defined

Exogenous diseases originate from external sources, such as pathogens.

Examples of endogenous diseases

Examples include cancer, diabetes, and genetic disorders.

Examples of exogenous diseases

Examples include infections from bacteria, viruses, or toxins.

Three examples of bacterial infections

Examples include strep throat, tuberculosis, and urinary tract infections.

Three examples of viral infections

Examples include the flu, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19.

How prions cause disease

Prions cause disease by inducing conformational changes in normal proteins, leading to cell death.

Example of a prion disease

An example of a prion disease is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Gram (-) bacteria

Gram (-) bacteria stain pink/red due to a thinner peptidoglycan wall.

Gram (+) bacteria

Gram (+) bacteria stain purple/violet due to a thick peptidoglycan layer.

Why viruses can go undetected

Viruses can remain dormant in host cells for long periods, evading detection by the immune system.

Consequences of antibiotic overuse

Overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and make infections harder to treat.

Six links in the chain of infection

Infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.

Breaking a link in the chain of infection

Breaking any link can prevent disease spread; for example, hand hygiene interrupts the mode of transmission.

Understanding the chain of infection

Helps healthcare professionals implement measures to prevent hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).

Common reservoirs for pathogens

Reservoirs can include humans, animals, and the environment; they provide sources for infection.

Direct vs Indirect transmission

Direct transmission involves immediate transfer (e.g., touching), while indirect involves a vector or fomite.

Hand hygiene and chain of infection

Proper hand hygiene reduces transmission by eliminating pathogens on hands before contact.

What is a susceptible host?

A susceptible host is a person at risk of infection due to various factors, like age or immune status.

Factors increasing susceptibility

Factors include immunosuppression, chronic illness, malnutrition, and age.

Immunizations and infection chain

Immunizations strengthen the immune response, reducing susceptibility to infectious agents.

Importance of PPE in infection control

PPE helps prevent exposure to pathogens, addressing links like portal of entry and transmission.

Scenario of chain of infection in hospitals

A scenario could involve a patient with a bacterial infection, with each link identified such as infectious agent and susceptible host.

Alternatives to antibiotics

Alternatives include bacteriophages, probiotics, and herbal remedies; used for specific types of infections.