6.2 non-bacterial pathogens

Viruses as pathogens

-viral infections are often specific to specific tissues

-each type of virus can only bind to specific antigens on host cells as they only have the specific receptors

-flu=

is a respiratory infection
its modes of infection are thorugh droplet infection, contact with contaminated animal droppings and touching surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus
it can be a zoonotic infection ie can cross species barriers from animals to humans
it infects ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory system
the viral RNA reproduces in the host cells then kills the cell by lsysis, releasing new viruses
the death of the epithelial cells leaves the airway open to infection
most deaths form flu are form secondary bacterial infections
the very young, the very old and those with prior health conditions are the most susceptible to the flu
ech eyar, the flu virus chanegs slightly, meaning it is difficutl to mke a vaccine against it as the markers on the cell surface change
pathogenic effects include fever, shivering, sweating, painful joints, nausea, headaches, sore throats, feelign unwell etc
normally clears after 5-7 days although peopel can feel ill up to 12 weeks afters
there is no cure
it is an rna virus so is prone to mutation

Fungi as pathogens

-have chitin cell walls

-grow long hyphae

-reproduce through spores

-Stem rust fungus=

it is a parasitic fungus and feed off the tissue of the living host
the disease is transmitted with spores from infected plants are blown by the wind and carried to new plants or from infected soil left after harvest
the spores land on the stem, hyphae penetrate the stomata of the plant cell once the spore has germinated
the…

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