1 Causes of disease

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  • Created by: Naana
  • Created on: 20-04-15 17:51
What is a pathogen?
Any microorganism that causes disease. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses and fungi
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How do pathogens enter the body?
Pathogens get into the body by penetrating one of the organism’s interfaces with the environment. Many pathogens enter the body through the gas exchange surface. Others enter the body through the digestive system as food and water may carry the patho
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What natural defenses does the body have to prevent the entry of pathogens?
Pathogens are trapped on the mucus lining the lung epithelium. The goblet cells secrete the mucus and they have cilia that move the mucus up the trachea into the mouth, the production of stomach acid which kills microorganisms and blood clots on the
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What must an microorganism do in order for it to be considered a pathogen?
Gain entry to the host, colonise the tissues of the host, resist the defences of the host and cause damage to the host tissues
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What are the 2 ways pathogens cause disease?
By producing toxins and by cell damage
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Explain how pathogens can physically damage host cells (cell damage)
By rupturing cells to release their nutrients, by breaking down nutrients inside the cell for their own use which starves and then kills the cell, by replicating inside cells and bursting cells when the pathogens are released
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What is risk?
A measure of the probability that damage to health will occur as a result of the given hazard
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What is a risk factor?
Anything that increases the chance of getting a disease
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Card 2

Front

How do pathogens enter the body?

Back

Pathogens get into the body by penetrating one of the organism’s interfaces with the environment. Many pathogens enter the body through the gas exchange surface. Others enter the body through the digestive system as food and water may carry the patho

Card 3

Front

What natural defenses does the body have to prevent the entry of pathogens?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What must an microorganism do in order for it to be considered a pathogen?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are the 2 ways pathogens cause disease?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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