Communicable diseases

• What are pathogens?


  Microorganisms that enter the body and cause disease
• What type of diseases do pathogens cause?


  Communicable (infectious) diseases that can easily spread
• Can both plants and animals be infected by pathogens?


  Yes, both plants and animals can be infected by pathogens
• What are the types of pathogens mentioned?

  Bacteria, viruses, protists, and fungi
• How small are bacteria compared to body cells?


  About 1/100th the size of body cells
• How do bacteria make you feel ill?


  By producing toxins that damage your cells and tissues
• What are viruses compared to bacteria?


  Viruses are not cells and are about 1/100th the size of a bacterium
• How do viruses replicate inside the body?


  They use the cells’ machinery to produce many copies of themselves
• What happens to the cell after a virus replicates inside it?


  The cell usually bursts, releasing all the new viruses
• What is the effect of cell damage caused by viruses?


  It is what makes you feel ill
• What are protists classified as?


  Single-celled eukaryotes
• How do some protists cause damage to organisms?


  By living on or inside other organisms as parasites
• How are parasites often transferred to their hosts?


  By a vector that doesn’t get the disease itself
• What are the structures that make up some fungi?


  Hyphae, which are thread-like structures
• How do hyphae contribute to disease?


  They can grow and penetrate human skin and the surface of plants
• What can hyphae produce that spreads diseases?


  Spores, which can be spread to other plants and animals
• What are the different ways pathogens can be spread?


  • Water: Contaminated drinking or bathing water
  • Air: Carried in droplets from coughs or sneezes
  • Direct Contact: Touching contaminated surfaces or skin
• How can pathogens be picked up from water?


  By drinking or bathing in dirty water
• What is cholera?


  A bacterial infection spread by drinking contaminated water
• How can pathogens be spread through the air?


  They can be carried in the air and breathed in
• How are airborne pathogens commonly spread?


  In droplets produced when you cough or sneeze
• What is an example of a pathogen spread by direct contact?


  Athlete’s foot fungus
• How is athlete’s foot commonly spread?


  By touching the same things as an infected person
• Why is it concerning that bacteria and viruses can multiply quickly?


  They can have massive effects on your body
• What is the significance of the topic "Measles" in the study material?


  Details about measles are mentioned but not provided in the text.