describe the role of micro-organisms in disease (TEAS 7)

Microbes (microorganisms)

organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye and may be classified as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa (including algae), or animals

fungi

eukaryotic organisms obtain nutrients by absorbing material from their environment (decomposer) through symbiotic relationships with plants or harmful relationships with a host.

infectious/communicable disease

diseases that spread from one person to another; caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and protazoans.

example: cholera, chickenpox, and COVID-19

noninfectious disease/noncommunicable disease

A disease that cannot spread from one individual to another

examples: non-infectious diseases are diabetes, cancer and asthma.

protozoans/protists

unicellular aerobic eukaryotes. they are the largest group of organisms in the world in terms of numbers, biomass, and diversity.

parasites

microbes that are not free-living and must find a host from which to gain nutrients

host

a larger organisms on whose body a parasite lives.

pathogen

an infectious agent

microorganisms are beneficial in producing

oxygen, decomposing organic material, providing nutrients for plants, and maintaining human health.

Bacteria

are unicellular organisms capable of causing diseases such as tuberculosis, meningitis, food poisoning, and many more.

-they are prokaryotic because they lack a nucleus

viruses

are noncellular entities that consist of a nucleic acid core (DNA and RNA) surrounded by a protein coat.

examples: influenza, measles, mumps, HIV, and COVID-19

animals such as

parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are large enough for people to see with the naked eye, and they can live in many areas of the body.

example: flatworms (tapeworms) and roundworms

electron microscope

a magnification instrument that forms an image using a beam of electrons that travel at high speeds and form wavelike patterns.