Science

• Microorganisms/Microbes


  Organisms only visible under a microscope, mostly unicellular
• Pathogen


  A microorganism that has the potential to cause disease once inside the body
• Infection


  Pathogen enters the body through a portal of entry, invades and multiplies
• Disease


  When a pathogen infection has a negative impact on the body's systems
• Types of pathogens


  • Bacteria
  • Fungi
  • Viruses
  • Parasites
• Bacteria


  • Unicellular, simple cells with no nucleus, have flagella for movement, absorb nutrients through cell wall
• Bacterial pathogens


  • Anthrax
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • E. coli
• Fungi


  • Can be unicellular or multicellular, reproduce via spores
• Fungal pathogens


  • Athlete's foot
  • Thrush
  • Ringworm
• Viruses


  • Non-living, cannot reproduce independently, invade host cells and force them to make copies
• Viral pathogens


  • Influenza
  • Ebola
  • HIV
• Parasites


  • Multicellular organisms that invade a host and feed off or harm the host
• Parasitic pathogens


  • Tapeworm
  • Guinea worm
• Unicellular made up of only one cell that carries out all of the functions needed by the organism,
• Multicelluler composed of more than one cell, with groups of cells differentiating to take on specialized functions