Unit 2: Keeping Healthy

What is the continuum of health and disease?

Health and disease exist on a continuum where individuals can move between states and experience overlapping conditions.

Communicable Diseases?

Diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that can spread from person to person.

Methods of transmission for communicable diseases

Methods include direct contact, airborne transmission, contaminated food or water, vector-borne transmission, and bodily fluids.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Diseases not caused by infectious agents that cannot be spread from person to person, often chronic and influenced by genetics and lifestyle.

Examples of Genetic Diseases

Cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, and sickle cell anemia.

Autoimmune Diseases

Diseases that occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

What characterizes mental disorders?

They affect mood, thinking, and behavior, with examples including depression and schizophrenia.

Deficiency Diseases

Diseases caused by a lack of essential nutrients, such as scurvy and anemia.

Viral Infections

Infections caused by viruses, with influenza being a common example.

Preventive Measures for Viral Infections

Vaccination and good hygiene practices.

HIV/AIDS

A viral infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, which leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

HIV Transmission

Occurs through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

Key Symptoms of Salmonellosis

Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

Common Bacterial Infections

Salmonellosis and sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and syphilis.

Fungal Infections

Infections caused by fungi; an example is athlete's foot.

Malaria Cause

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through mosquito bites.

Purpose of physical barriers in the Immune System

Physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes prevent pathogens from entering the body.

How do enzymes act as chemical barriers in the immune system?

Enzymes like lysozyme break down bacterial cell walls, offering protection.

Complement System

A system of proteins that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens.

Normal flora in the context of human health

Beneficial microorganisms that compete with pathogens for resources and space, preventing infections.

Roles of platelets Hemostasis

Platelets are crucial for stopping bleeding by forming a plug at injury sites.

Function of Leaf Cuticle in Plants

The leaf cuticle acts as a barrier against water loss and pathogen entry.

Function of a plant's Cell Wall in disease resistance

It provides structural support and acts as a physical barrier against pathogens.

Key functions of the Immune System

Recognition of pathogens, defense mechanisms, memory for faster response, and maintenance of homeostasis.

Types of white blood cells involved in the immune response

White blood cells include neutrophils, macrophages, B cells, T cells, eosinophils, and basophils.

Role of Vaccines in Disease Prevention

Vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop resistance to specific pathogens.

Common methods for identifying pathogens in lab settings

Methods include microscopy, culturing, PCR, ELISA, and serological tests.

Significance of Aseptic Techniques in Microbiology

Aseptic techniques prevent contamination in cultures, ensuring reliable experimental results.

Primary objective during the discovery phase of drug development

To identify and optimize lead compounds that interact with specific biological targets.

Key phases of clinical testing for new drugs

Phases include Phase 1 (safety), Phase 2 (efficacy), Phase 3 (confirmatory trials), and Phase 4 (post-marketing surveillance).

Monoclonal antibodies and their use in disease treatment

Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies produced from a single clone of cells, used in targeted therapy against cancers.

Role of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to treat cancer by killing or inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Impact of lifestyle factors to non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

Lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and tobacco use can influence the risk and severity of NCDs.

Comorbidity

The presence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions in a patient.

Benefit of lifestyle changes for cardiovascular health

Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Benefit of stress management techniques to health

They can help lower blood pressure and improve overall heart health.

Importance of proper sanitation in preventing disease spread

Hygiene and sanitation practices are fundamental in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.