Topic 5: Health, Disease & Development of Medicines

• What is an agar plate?

  A Petri dish containing agar and nutrients used to culture microorganisms
• What is an antibiotic?

  A chemical produced by a living organism that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria
• How do antibiotics affect host cells?

  They have no effect on the cells of the host organism
• What are antibodies?

  Proteins produced by B-lymphocytes in response to a specific antigen
• What triggers the immune response?

  Antibodies are produced in response to a specific antigen
• What are anticoagulants?

  Drugs that reduce clotting of the blood
• Why are anticoagulants used?

  To lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke
• What is an antigen?

  A unique chemical present on the surface of a cell that induces an immune response
• What are antihypertensives?

  Drugs that lower blood pressure
• How do antihypertensives benefit the body?

  They reduce damage to artery walls and the build-up of atheromas
• What are antiseptics?

  Chemicals secreted by plants that kill bacterial and fungal pathogens
• What are aseptic techniques?

  A range of techniques used to culture microorganisms under sterile conditions
• What is aspirin used for?

  As a painkiller
• What is an autoclave?

  A device used to sterilise equipment under high temperatures
• What is the purpose of a single-blind trial?

  To prevent a patient’s bias affecting the results
• What is a B-lymphocyte?

  A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies specific to a particular antigen
• What does BMI stand for?

  Body mass index
• How is BMI calculated?

  Using height and mass

  
• What is carbon monoxide?

  A chemical found in cigarette smoke that lowers the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen
• What is the effect of carbon monoxide on the body?

  It increases heart rate and raises the risk of cardiovascular disease
• What is cardiovascular disease?

  A group of diseases affecting the heart or blood vessels
• What is the cell wall?

  An outer layer made of cellulose that strengthens plant cells
• What is the function of the cell wall?

  It serves as a physical barrier against pathogens
• What is Chalara ash dieback?

  An airborne fungal disease that infects ash trees
• What are the symptoms of Chalara ash dieback?

  Dark lesions on bark and blackened leaves which wilt and eventually die
• What is Chlamydia?

  An infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia, spread through sexual contact
• What can Chlamydia result in?

  Infertility
• What is cholera?

  A water-borne disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae
• What are the symptoms of cholera?

  Severe diarrhoea leading to dehydration
• What are cilia?

  Hair-like structures found on ciliated epithelial cells
• What is the function of cilia?


  They waft substances across the surface of the tissue in one direction
• What is cirrhosis?

  Scarring of the liver tissue resulting from the breakdown of alcohol
• What causes cirrhosis?

  The breakdown of alcohol into toxic products in the liver
• What is clinical testing?

  Drug testing carried out on healthy human volunteers
• What is the purpose of clinical testing?

  To check for side effects and determine the drug’s efficacy
• What is the definition of health according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)?

  A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• What is a communicable disease?

  A disease caused by a pathogen that can be spread between individuals
• Why is it important to consider social and lifestyle factors in health?

  Because health encompasses multiple aspects beyond just physical well-being.
• How are communicable diseases spread?

  Either directly or indirectly
• What are communicable diseases?

  Diseases that can be transferred between individuals.