key terms

• pathogen

  • a microorganism that causes disease
• bacteria

  • a type of pathogen that produces toxins that damage tissues
• viruses

  • a type of pathogen that lives and replicates within cells and causes cell damage
  • it is difficult to kill viruses without damaging cells
• antibodies

  • some wbc (lymphocytes) produce antibodies, these bind to pathogens and destroys them or sticks them together
• antitoxins

  • some wbc (lymphocytes) produce antitoxins, these neutralise toxins
• antibiotics

  • antibiotics kill bacteria
  • specific antibiotics should be used for specific bacteria
  • some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics
  • do not kill viruses
• painkillers

  • painkillers relive symptoms but dont kill pathogens
• phagocytosis

  • some wbc (phagocytes) engulf pathogens