Year 9 Science - Disease

Year 9 Science: Disease

Introduction to Disease and Classification of Diseases

  • Key Objectives:

    • Understand the concept of disease and its classifications.

    • Define important terms related to diseases.

Definitions and Terms

  • Disease:

    • A disease is defined as anything that causes the body to stop functioning properly.

  • Communicable Diseases:

    • These are diseases transferred from one person (or organism) to another.

    • Synonymous with the term contagious.

  • Non-Communicable Diseases:

    • These are diseases that are not transmitted between people or organisms.

  • Microbe:

    • A microbe, or microorganism, is a living organism that is too small to be seen with the naked eye.

    • Requires a microscope for observation.

    • The term encompasses various life forms with diverse sizes and characteristics.

  • Pathogen:

    • Pathogens refer to disease-causing organisms, commonly termed as germs.

Examples of Pathogens

  • Categories of pathogens include:

    • Virus

    • Bacteria

    • Protist

    • Fungi

Questions to Consider About Diseases

  • How would you define the term ‘disease’?

  • What diseases are you aware of?

  • Are all diseases curable?

  • Are all diseases preventable?

  • Are all diseases contagious?

Classification of Diseases

  • Broad Classifications:

    • Diseases can be classified into communicable and non-communicable.

Understanding Specific Diseases

  • Activity:

    • Classify the following diseases as either communicable or non-communicable:

    • Ebola

    • Arthritis

    • Diabetes

    • Flu

    • Hepatitis

    • Cancer

    • Osteoporosis

    • Coronavirus

    • Heart Attack

    • Motor Neuron Cancer

    • Asthma

    • Down Syndrome

    • Epilepsy

    • Measles

Types of Diseases

  • Categories of Diseases:

    • Diseases can be categorized into four types:

    • Infectious Diseases:

      • Examples: Measles, Influenza

    • Deficiency Diseases:

      • Example: Scurvy (lack of Vitamin C)

    • Hereditary Diseases:

      • Example: Hemophilia (inability to clot blood)

    • Physiological Diseases:

      • Examples: Asthma, Diabetes

Focus on Infectious Diseases

  • The current topic will focus primarily on infectious diseases.

Transmission of Infectious Diseases

  • Ways Infectious Diseases Can Be Transmitted:

    • Sneezing

    • Coughing

    • Physical contact

    • Contact with vectors

    • Contaminated objects

    • Water supply

Microbes In Depth

  • Types of Microbes:

    • Bacteria

    • Fungi

    • Protists

    • Viruses

    • Microscopic Animals (parasites)

    • Note: Not all microbes are harmful; focus is on those that cause diseases.

Pathology

  • Definition:

    • Pathology is the study of the nature and causes of diseases.

  • Etymology:

    • The term is derived from pathogen, highlighting its relevance to disease-causing entities.

Key Groups of Pathogens for Study

  • The four main groups of pathogens to be studied include:

    • Viruses

    • Bacteria

    • Protists

    • Fungi