Biology - Topic 3 Infection and Response

• What are the four types of pathogens that cause diseases?


  Viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi
• What is the definition of a pathogen?

  A pathogen is an organism that causes disease.
• How do bacteria and viruses reproduce in the body?


  Bacteria reproduce by binary fission, while viruses replicate by hijacking host cells.
• Why do bacteria and viruses make you feel ill?

  They produce toxins or damage host tissues, leading to illness.
• How can the spread of diseases be reduced?

  • Vaccination
  • Good hygiene practices
  • Safe food preparation
  • Quarantine of infected individuals
• What is Measles classified as?

  Measles is a viral disease.
• What are the symptoms of Measles?

  Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash.
• What is HIV and how is it transmitted?

  HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and is transmitted through bodily fluids.
• What is tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)?

  Tobacco mosaic virus is a viral disease that affects plants, particularly tobacco.
• How is Salmonella food poisoning spread?

  It is spread by bacteria ingested in food or on food prepared in unhygienic conditions.
• What are the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning?

  Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
• How is Gonorrhoea transmitted?

  Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact.
• How can the spread of Gonorrhoea be reduced?

  Using condoms and regular testing can reduce the spread of Gonorrhoea.
• What causes Gonorrhoea and what are its symptoms?

  Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, with symptoms including painful urination and discharge.
• What is rose black spot and what causes it?

  Rose black spot is a fungal disease that affects roses, caused by the fungus Diplocarpon rosae.
• How is rose black spot spread and treated?

  It is spread by wind and water, and can be treated with fungicides.
• What is malaria and what causes it?

  Malaria is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite.
• How is malaria spread and how can its spread be reduced?

  Malaria is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, and its spread can be reduced by using mosquito nets and insect repellents.
• What are some of the body's natural defenses to infection?

  Natural defenses include skin, mucous membranes, and immune responses.
• What is the role of white blood cells?

  White blood cells help to fight infections by attacking pathogens.
• What is the process of vaccination?

  • Introduction of a harmless form of the pathogen
  • Immune system responds by producing antibodies
  • Memory cells are created for future protection
• What is "herd immunity"?

  Herd immunity occurs when a large percentage of a population is immune to a disease, reducing its spread.
• What can antibiotics treat?

  Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections.
• What is antibiotic resistance?

  Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to survive exposure to antibiotics.
• What are painkillers?

  Painkillers are drugs that relieve pain.
• Why is it difficult to develop drugs that kill viruses?

  It is difficult because viruses use host cells to replicate, making it hard to target them without harming the host.
• How were traditional drugs extracted?

  • Extracted from plants and microorganisms
  • Common examples include:
  • Penicillin (discovered by Alexander Fleming)
• How are most new drugs synthesized?

  Most new drugs are synthesized by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry, often starting from plant extracts.
• What are the stages in preclinical and clinical trials for new medicinal drugs?

  1. Preclinical trials: Laboratory and animal testing
  2. Clinical trials: Testing on human volunteers
  3. Phase 1: Safety testing
  4. Phase 2: Efficacy testing
  5. Phase 3: Large-scale testing
• What is a placebo?

  A placebo is a substance with no therapeutic effect used as a control in testing new drugs.
• What are double-blind trials?

  Double-blind trials are studies where neither the participants nor the researchers know who receives the treatment or placebo.