Communicable Diseases and Pathogens

• What are the four main categories of pathogens?

  Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protoctista
• What is a pathogen?

  A microorganism that can cause disease
• What is the host in the context of pathogens?

  The organism infected by the pathogen
• What type of disease is bacterial meningitis?

  Communicable disease
• How are communicable diseases spread?

  Between organisms of the same or different species
• What do pathogenic bacteria release that can damage host cells?

  Toxins
• What is the structure of bacteria regarding their genetic material?

  Not found in a membrane-bound nucleus
• What chemical is found in the cell wall of bacteria?

  Peptidoglycan
• How do bacteria affect host cells?

  They can prevent them from functioning normally
• What is a key feature of viruses?

  They cannot reproduce outside of a host cell
• What do viruses consist of?

  Genetic material wrapped in a protein structure
• What is the role of attachment proteins in viruses?

  To attach to host cells
• How do viruses reproduce?

  By using the enzymes of the host cell
• What happens to a host cell when it is infected by a virus?

  It often leads to the death of the host cell
• What type of organisms are fungi?

  Eukaryotic organisms
• How do fungi obtain nutrients?

  By releasing enzymes to digest material
• What can the process of fungal digestion cause?

  Damage to host cells and tissues
• What is an example of a fungal disease in humans?

  Thrush
• How do fungi reproduce?

  By releasing a large number of spores
• What is the role of fungi in the decay process?

  They break down dead organisms
• What is Giardia and what does it cause?

  A protoctista that causes diarrhea
• How is Plasmodium transmitted?

  By mosquitoes between humans
• What are the four main categories of pathogens and their characteristics?

  • Bacteria: Prokaryotic, release toxins, have peptidoglycan cell walls
  • Viruses: Non-living, consist of genetic material and protein, cannot reproduce outside host
  • Fungi: Eukaryotic, can be unicellular or multicellular, obtain nutrients by digestion
  • Protoctista: Eukaryotic, can act as parasites, cause diseases like malaria and diarrhea
• How do the mechanisms of bacteria and viruses differ in causing disease?

  Bacteria release toxins; viruses hijack host cells
• What diseases are caused by fungi in humans?

  Thrush and Athlete's Foot
• What is the function of the cell wall in bacteria?

  Provides structure and protection
• What is the impact of fungal diseases on plants?

  They can reduce photosynthesis and crop yield