pathogens and communicable disease

• describe pathogens

  microorganisms that cause infectious disease
• give examples of pathogens

  bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists
• describe bacteria

  reproduce rapidly and produce toxins - damage tissue causing ill feeling
• describe viruses

  reproduce rapidly and live and reproduce inside cells causing cell damage
• describe fungi

  penetrate living tissue - causing disease and produce spores - spreading disease
• describe protists

  live on or inside cells - causing cell damage and transferred by vector
• give way pathogens spread

  air, water and direct contact
• give methods to prevent spread of disease

  good hygiene, vaccination, isolation of infected and kill vectors