Pathogens Flashcards

Flashcards about pathogens, diseases, and microorganisms.

Pathogens

Micro-organisms that cause communicable disease.

Communicable Disease

Diseases that can spread from person to person.

Bacteria

Small micro-organisms that reproduce rapidly by binary fission, produce toxins, and damage host cells. Killed by antibiotics.

Viruses

Not true organisms, replicate rapidly inside a host's cell, multiply by taking over the cell’s DNA-copying processes to make new viruses.

Fungi

Can be single-celled or multicellular, penetrate hosts causing diseases, and spread via hyphae and spores.

Protists

Eukaryotic, mostly single-celled, some are parasites transferred to the host by a vector.

Cholera

Disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria; Symptoms: severe diarrhea, dehydration Transmission: contaminated water or food.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria; Symptoms: coughing, appetite loss, night sweats Transmission: airborne.

Chlamydia

Disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria; Transmission: sexual contact; Symptoms: abnormal discharge, pain during intercourse/urination.

Ebola (Haemorrhagic Fever)

Disease caused by Ebola virus; Transmission: direct contact with blood or bodily fluids; Symptoms: internal bleeding, fever.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); Attacks white blood cells; Symptoms: flu-like initially, then secondary infections as immune system weakens.

Chalara Ash Dieback

Disease caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (a fungus); Affects Ash trees; Transmission: movement of diseased plants, wind; Symptoms: loss of leaves, bark lesions.

Malaria

Disease caused by Plasmodium (a protist); Transmission: mosquito vector; Symptoms: fever, weakness, sickness.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease.

Toxins

Produced by bacteria and make us feel poorly.

Malaria

A disease caused by protists and spread by mosquitoes.

Virus

Non-living cells that infect our cells and kill them.

What is an infectious disease?

A disease that can be caught.

What are infectious diseases caused by?

Pathogens

What would a doctor prescribe for a bacterial infection?

Antibiotics

Microorganisms that can cause disease

Virus, Bacteria, Protist, Fungi

Pathogens illness is caused by?

Releasing toxins, Reproduction

Airborne droplets, direct contact

How is Measles Spread?

Direct contact, sharing needles

How is HIV Spread?