Mechanisms of Disease and Pathogenic Organisms

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on mechanisms of disease and pathogenic organisms, helping the student prepare for their exam.

What is the definition of health?

Health is physical, mental, and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease.

What is etiology in the context of disease?

Etiology is the study of all factors involved in causing a disease.

How does an acute disease differ from a chronic disease?

An acute disease appears suddenly, persists for a short time, and then disappears, while a chronic disease develops slowly and lasts for a long time.

What does communicable disease refer to?

A communicable disease is one that is transmitted from one individual to another.

What does idiopathic mean?

Idiopathic refers to a disease with an unknown cause.

What is the incubation period in infectious diseases?

The incubation period is the early latent stage of an infection during which the infection has begun but signs and symptoms have not yet developed.

What does remission signify in a disease?

Remission signifies a stage of a disease during which a temporary recovery from symptoms occurs.

What are signs and symptoms in the context of disease?

Signs are objective abnormalities observed, while symptoms are subjective feelings experienced only by the patient.

What is epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the study of the occurrence, distribution, and transmission of diseases in human populations.

What characterizes an endemic disease?

An endemic disease is native to a local region.

What defines an epidemic?

An epidemic occurs when a disease affects many people at the same time.

What is a pandemic?

A pandemic is a widespread, perhaps global, epidemic.

What is pathophysiology?

Pathophysiology is the study of underlying physiological aspects of disease.

What are pathogenic mechanisms?

Pathogenic mechanisms are the processes through which diseases develop and cause effects.

What defines a virus?

Viruses are intracellular parasites that consist of a nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat.

What are mycotic infections?

Mycotic infections are fungal infections that often resist treatment.

What are nematodes?

Nematodes are roundworms that can parasitize human tissues.

What is an example of a chronic disease?

An example of a chronic disease is diabetes, which develops slowly and may last a lifetime.

What is the role of aseptic technique in disease prevention?

Aseptic technique helps prevent the transmission of pathogens through education and proper practices.

What are opportunistic infections?

Opportunistic infections occur when normal barriers like skin and mucous membranes are breached.

What is vaccination?

Vaccination involves administering a dead or attenuated pathogen to stimulate immunity.

What is the significance of antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotic resistance is important because it affects the effectiveness of treatments against bacterial infections.

What are the signs of inflammation?

Signs of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

What does cachexia refer to in cancer patients?

Cachexia refers to a syndrome including appetite loss, weight loss, and general weakness.

What is metastasis in relation to tumors?

Metastasis is when cells leave a primary tumor and start a secondary tumor at a new location.

How are benign tumors classified?

Benign tumors are usually encapsulated and grow slowly; they remain localized.

What are carcinogens?

Carcinogens are chemicals that alter genetic activity and can contribute to cancer development.

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation is an immediate protective response that promotes elimination of irritants, while chronic inflammation causes damage to affected tissues.

What is the definition of health?

Health is physical, mental, and social well-being—not merely the absence of disease.

What is etiology in the context of disease?

Etiology is the study of all factors involved in causing a disease.

How does an acute disease differ from a chronic disease?

An acute disease appears suddenly, persists for a short time, and then disappears, while a chronic disease develops slowly and lasts for a long time.

What is an obligate parasite?

An obligate parasite is an organism that relies entirely on a host to survive and complete its life cycle and cannot survive independently.

What characterizes a malignant tumor?

Malignant tumors are not encapsulated, grow rapidly, and can spread (metastasize) to other tissues or distant sites via the blood or lymph.

How do viruses function as obligate intracellular parasites?

Viruses must infect a living host cell to hijack its cellular machinery for the replication of their genetic material (DNA or RNA).

What distinguishes an epidemic from a pandemic?

An epidemic is a sudden increase in cases within a specific region, whereas a pandemic is a widespread epidemic that has reached global or multi-continental proportions.