Cholera

Cards (8)

Which bacteria causes cholera?
Vibrio cholerae
What does cholera infect?
The small intestine
What does cholera affect?
Osmosis
What does the cholera bacteria do?
Releases a toxin which binds to the chloride protein channels on the cell surface membrane of the epithelial cells in the small intestine
What happens to the protein channels?
They remain open, causing chloride ions to move from the epithelial cells into the lumen
What does the movement of chloride ions do to the lumen?
Lowers the water potential
What happens due to the low water potential of the lumen?
Water moves by osmosis from the blood, into the epithelial cells and into the lumen
what are the main symptoms of cholera?
Diarrhoea and dehydration