Biological Hazards and Human Health

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to biological hazards and human health, including pathogens, immunity, and disease transmission.

Pathogen

Any agent that causes illness, often harmful and not beneficial.

Zoonosis

Infectious disease transmissible to humans from other animals, especially when the animal is already sick.

Vector

An organism that transmits disease from human to human or animal to human.

Active Immunity

Immunity that develops when the body produces antibodies in response to exposure to an antigen.

Passive Immunity

Immunity provided when antibodies are already prepared and introduced into the body, offering temporary protection.

Herd Immunity

Practical protection that occurs when a significant number of members of a community are immune to an infection.

Isolation

The separation of persons who have an infectious illness from those who are healthy.

Quarantine

The separation of persons who have been exposed to an infectious agent but are not yet ill.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms, most not harmful to the host, some potentially beneficial.

Protozoa

Unicellular, parasitic organisms that can cause disease.

Viruses

Infectious agents composed of genetic material that can replicate only inside host cells.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to evolve and survive despite the presence of antibiotics meant to kill them.

Fecal-Oral Transmission

Spread of infectious organisms via oral ingestion after contact with feces.

Foodborne Hazards

Microbiological or chemical hazards present in food that can cause illness.

Foodborne Illnesses

Diseases caused by consuming contaminated food or beverages.

Environmental Health

The branch of public health that focuses on how the environment affects human health.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in an organism.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxins in the tissues of organisms at each level of the food chain.