3.1 Communicable diseases

What are Lymphocytes?

type of blood cell that makes antibodies/ antitoxins

What are Phagocytes?

type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests pathogens.

What are antigens?

unique proteins on the surface of cells that trigger an immune response.

What are Antibodies?

proteins produced by lymphocytes that neutralize or mark pathogens for destruction.

What are pathogens?

Microorganisms that cause communicable (infectious) disease

What are protists?

single celled eukaryotes that can be free-living or parasitic [in vectors] They can cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants.

How do bacteria make you ill?

Bacteria can produce toxins that damage cells & tissues or interfere with normal bodily functions, leading to illness. Some bacteria can also trigger an immune response that causes inflammation.

What are viruses?

tiny, non-cellular pathogen (much smaller than bacteria & non living)

How do viruses reproduce inside the body?

Viruses reproduce by invading host cells. They live and reproduce inside the cells, causing cell damage

What are fungi?

Fungi can be single celled or have a body made of hyphae, which can grow and penetrate human skin or plant surfaces.

How do fungi spread?

they produce spores to spread to other organisms

What are some properties fungi is made of?

Fungal cells have a nucleus and cell walls made of chitin

Symptoms of Measles

red skin rash, and a fever (high temp)

What is Measles?

Measles is a viral disease spread by inhalation of droplets from an infected person’s sneezes and coughs. It’s serious and can be fatal if complications arise (e.g. pneumonia, a lung infection or inflammation of the brain.)

How is Measles prevented?

MMR vaccine- mumps, measles, rubella, most are vaccinated against measles when they are young

What benefits does vaccination when young provide?

prevents outbreaks and reduces severity

What is HIV?

A virus spread by sexual contact/ exchanging bodily fluids, such ad blood (from sharing needles when taking drugs)

Sypmtoms of HIV?

HIV initially causes flu-like symptoms , for a few weeks

What is Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)

A widespread plant virus, affecting many species of plants (including tomatoes)

Symptoms of Tobacco Mosaic Virus

It gives a distinctive ‘mosaic’ pattern of discoloration on the leaves, affecting the growth of the plant due to lack of photosynthesis

What is salmonella?

A type of bacteria that causes food poisoning

How is salmonella spread?

by bacteria ingested in food, or on food prepared in unhygenic conditions

What are some symptoms?

Fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. These are all caused by the bacteria and the toxins they secrete

What is a prevention technique against salmonella (In UK)?

In the UK, most poultry are given a vaccination against it to prevent the spread

What is gonorrhea?

A sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Symptoms of gonorrhea?

thick yellow/ green discharge from vagina/ penis and pain from urinating

What is a prevention of salmonella?

to prevent the spread, people may be treated with: antibiotics or use barrier methods of contraception e.g. a condom

What is a rose blackspot?

A fungal disease where purple/ black spots develop on leaves, which often turn yellow and drop early

How is rose blackspot spread?

Spread through the environment by water/wind

How to treat Rose Black Spot?

Can be treated by: using fungicides or removing and destroying affected leaves

What causes Malaria?

Malarial protists, which have a life cycle that includes the mosquito

Symptoms of Malaria?

recurrent episodes of fever and can be fatal

How to prevent the spread?

Spread can be controlled by preventing the vectors (mosquitos) from breeding and by using mosquito nets to prevent being bitten

What features are a virus cell made of?

Genetic material (DNA or RNA), protein coat and protein markers (that attach to host cells)

What features are a bacteria cell made of?

Single circular strand of DNA, plasmids, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes. They may also contain pili and flagella for movement and attachment.