Ch. 5: Disease and Disease-Producing Organisms – Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering definitions, disease categories, pathogen types, microbiology terms, and key clinical concepts from Chapter 5.

Which disease category is any disruption of cellular metabolism?

Metabolic disorder

Which disease category involves tissue degeneration or breaking down?

Degenerative disease

Which disease category relates to the system that protects us from infectious diseases?

Immune disorder

Which disease category refers to cancers?

Neoplasms

Alzheimer disease belongs to which disease category?

Degenerative disease

Diabetes mellitus belongs to which disease category?

Metabolic disorder

Allergies fall under which disease category?

Immune disorder

Rheumatoid arthritis falls under which disease category?

Immune disorder

Give three examples of symptoms (subjective conditions experienced by the patient).

Pain, fatigue, joint stiffness, nausea, anxiety (any three)

Give three examples of signs (objective manifestations).

Rash, rapid pulse, wheezing, fever, high blood pressure (any three)

What term describes a disease that lasts for only a short time?

Acute

What term describes a disease that is continuous or recurs over long periods?

Chronic

What is a pathogen?

A disease-producing organism

What is an opportunistic infection?

An infection occurring because the host has been compromised or weakened by disease

Define bacteria in microbiological terms.

Simple, single-celled organisms that grow in many environments and lack a true nucleus

Define viruses.

Obligate intracellular parasites composed of nucleic acid and protein that can reproduce only within living cells

Define protozoa.

Single-celled, animal-like organisms

What is the microbiome?

The population of microorganisms that normally grows on or within the human body

How can certain antibiotics lead to an infection with the fungus Candida?

They kill normal bacterial flora or change pH levels, allowing Candida to thrive

What is an endospore?

A resistant form of bacteria that tolerates adverse conditions

Why are spore-forming pathogens especially dangerous?

They can easily become airborne and are resistant to ordinary disinfection methods

Why is treatment of viruses different from treatment of bacteria?

Viruses are not susceptible to antibiotics and must be treated with antiviral drugs

Define fungi.

Simple, plant-like organisms; only a few are pathogenic to humans

What is a helminth?

A parasitic worm that lives within a human host

What type of pathogen causes malaria?

Protozoa

What type of pathogen causes C. diff. colitis?

Bacteria

What type of pathogen causes herpes?

Virus

What type of pathogen causes Candida vaginitis?

Fungi

What type of pathogen causes pinworm infestation?

Parasite (helminth)

What does it mean to sterilize an object?

To kill every organism present in a liquid or on an object

Which organisms require much greater time and temperature to ensure destruction during sterilization?

Endospores

What is a disinfectant?

An agent that kills most microbes on inanimate surfaces

What is an antiseptic?

A chemical agent safe for use on skin or other living tissues to inhibit or kill microbes

Name two dangers associated with antibiotic use.

It can lead to opportunistic infections and can promote antibiotic resistance

What are the two purposes of a culture and sensitivity test?

To identify the causative organism and determine its sensitivity to specific antibiotics