Health

• How is health defined?

  Health is a state of physical and mental well-being.
• What factors contribute to ill health?

  Ethnic group, levels of education, financial status, and local environment contribute to ill health.
• What are pathogens?

  Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease.
• How do pathogens spread?

  Pathogens spread through direct contact, by water, or through droplets.
• What are the characteristics of viruses?

  Viruses are small, move into cells, replicate quickly, and infect the bloodstream.
• How do bacteria multiply?

  Bacteria multiply very quickly through binary fission.
• What do bacteria produce that can damage cells?

  Bacteria produce toxins that can damage cells.
• How do protists affect humans and animals?

  Protists can be parasitic and use humans and animals as their hosts.
• What are the characteristics of fungi?

  Fungi can be single-celled or have a body made of hyphae and can produce spores.
• What are the methods to limit the spread of pathogens?

  • Isolate raw meat
  • Use gloves when handling
  • Disinfect surfaces
  • Reduce contact with infected individuals
  • Remove vectors
  • Vaccination
• Where do viruses live and reproduce?

  Viruses live and reproduce inside the cell.
• What are common disease symptoms?

  Common disease symptoms include a high temperature, headache, and tiredness.
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for Measles?

  Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Skin rash

  Prevention:

  • Vaccination for young children
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for HIV?

  Symptoms:

  • Initially flu-like, then attacks the immune system leading to AIDS

  Prevention:

  • Barrier protection
  • Not sharing needles
  • Screening blood
  • Antiretrovirals for HIV-positive mothers
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for Tobacco Mosaic Virus?

  Symptoms:

  • Leaves discolouration

  Prevention:

  • Good field hygiene
  • Pest control
  • Growing TMV-resistant strains
• What happens when AIDS occurs?

  AIDS occurs when the body's immune system becomes so badly damaged it can no longer deal with other infections or cancers.
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for Salmonella?

  Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Stomach cramps
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea

  Prevention:

  • Vaccinated poultry
  • Keeping raw meat away from cooked food
  • Washing hands and surfaces
  • Cooking food thoroughly
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for Gonorrhea?

  Symptoms:

  • Thick yellow or green discharge
  • Pain when urinating

  Prevention:

  • Using contraception (condoms)
  • Antibiotics
• What is 'Agrobacterium tumefaciens' and its significance?

  • Causes 'crown gall' in plants
  • Inserts plasmids into plant cells
  • Used for manipulating bacteria to carry desirable genes
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for Rose Black Spot?

  Symptoms:

  • Purple or black spots on leaves
  • Leaves turn yellow and die

  Prevention:

  • Using fungicides
  • Burning affected leaves
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for Malaria?

  Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Shaking

  Prevention:

  • Insecticides
  • Antimalarial drugs
  • Removing stagnant water
• What are the symptoms and prevention methods for Athlete's Foot?

  Symptoms:

  • Dry, red, flaky skin
  • White, wet, cracked skin

  Prevention:

  • Antifungal medication
  • Protecting feet in public places
  • Washing and drying feet daily
• What are the components of the non-specific defence system in humans?

  • Skin as a physical barrier
  • Respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa
  • Nasal hair and mucous
  • Tongue and bronchial secretions
  • Cilia in the respiratory tract
  • Stomach producing HCl
• How does the specific immune system protect the body?

  The specific immune system destroys/engulfs invading pathogens and produces antibodies that bind to antigens.
• What is the role of antibodies in the immune response?

  Antibodies bind to pathogens, help WBCs find pathogens, neutralize toxins, and provide immunity upon re-infection.
• What are common signs of plant diseases?

  • Stunted growth
  • Spots on leaves
  • Areas of decay
  • Abnormal growth
  • Malformed stems/leaves
  • Discolouration
• What are the effects of nitrate and magnesium deficiencies in plants?

  Nitrate deficiency:

  • Stunted growth

  Magnesium deficiency:

  • Chlorosis (yellowing of leaves)
• What are the physical and chemical plant defenses?

  Physical defenses:

  • Stings
  • Waxy cuticle
  • Layer of dead cells

  Chemical defenses:

  • Psyllon
  • Antibacterial compounds
• What are the mechanical defenses of plants?

  • Thorns and hairs
  • Leaves drop or curl when touched
  • Mimicry to avoid predation
• What is herd immunity?

  A large proportion of the population is immunized, helping to reduce the spread of disease.
• What is a vaccine?

  A vaccine is a dead or inactivated form of a pathogen that stimulates WBCs to produce antibodies.
• What are the advantages of vaccinations?

  • Eradicate many diseases
  • Prevent epidemics through herd immunity
• What are the disadvantages of vaccinations?

  • Not always effective
  • Rare bad reactions (e.g., fevers)
• What are antibiotics?

  Antibiotics are medications that kill bacterial pathogens inside the body.
• Why can't antibiotics kill viruses or fungi?

  Antibiotics cannot kill viruses or fungi because they are not body cells.
• What is antibiotic resistance?

  Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria mutate and survive exposure to antibiotics.
• What are the methods to prevent antibiotic resistance?

  • Don't overdose on antibiotics
  • Finish the course of antibiotics
• What are the steps in drug discovery and development?

  1. Discovery in plants and moulds
  2. Synthesis by chemists
  3. Testing for toxicity, efficacy, and dosage
  4. Pre-clinical testing
  5. Clinical trials
• What is the origin of Aspirin and Digitalis?

  • Aspirin: originates from willow tree
  • Digitalis: originates from foxgloves
• Who discovered Penicillin?

  Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming.