human health and diseases

Biology ; Youngest of the formalised disciplines of natural science

Green Revolution in India ; Initiated through collaboration of M.S. Swaminathan and Norman Borlaug

M.S. Swaminathan ; Developed short-duration high-yielding varieties of rice including scented Basmati

Health ; State of complete physical, mental and social well-being

Early concept of health ; Balance of humors

William Harvey ; Disproved ‘good humor’ hypothesis through discovery of blood circulation

Factors affecting health ; Genetic disorders, infections, lifestyle

Disease ; Adverse functioning of one or more organs with signs and symptoms

Infectious diseases ; Easily transmitted from one person to another

Non-infectious diseases ; Not transmitted between individuals

Pathogens ; Disease-causing organisms

Typhoid ; Caused by Salmonella typhi

Typhoid confirmation test ; Widal test

Typhoid carrier example ; Mary Mallon (Typhoid Mary)

Pneumonia ; Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae

Pneumonia infection site ; Alveoli of lungs

Common cold ; Caused by Rhino viruses

Common cold duration ; 3–7 days

Malaria ; Caused by Plasmodium

Most serious malaria ; Plasmodium falciparum

Infective stage of Plasmodium in humans ; Sporozoite

Malaria vector ; Female Anopheles mosquito

Toxic substance released in malaria ; Haemozoin

Amoebiasis ; Caused by Entamoeba histolytica

Mechanical carrier of amoebiasis ; Housefly

Ascariasis ; Caused by Ascaris

Elephantiasis (Filariasis) ; Caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Wuchereria malayi

Ringworm ; Caused by Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton

Vector control for malaria ; Elimination of stagnant water

Eradicated disease by vaccination ; Smallpox

Immunity

Immunity ; Ability of host to fight disease-causing organisms

Types of immunity ; Innate and Acquired

Innate immunity ; Non-specific defence present at birth

Physical barrier ; Skin and mucus

Physiological barrier ; Acid in stomach, saliva, tears

Cellular barrier ; PMNL-neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells

Cytokine barrier ; Interferons

Acquired immunity ; Pathogen-specific immunity with memory

Primary response ; First exposure, low intensity

Secondary (anamnestic) response ; Subsequent exposure, high intensity

Antibodies ; Proteins produced by B-lymphocytes

Antibody structure ; H2L2 (two heavy and two light chains)

Types of antibodies ; IgA, IgM, IgE, IgG

Humoral immunity ; Antibody-mediated immune response

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) ; Mediated by T-lymphocytes

Graft rejection ; Due to cell-mediated immunity

Active immunity ; Produced when host produces antibodies

Passive immunity ; Ready-made antibodies given

Colostrum ; Rich in IgA