What is a parasite? Think of an example relating to malaria
A parasite is an organism that feeds on another living organism, causing it harm. Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium
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What is a host?
A living organism (e.g. humans) that carries the parasite and is harmed.
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How do (the vectors) mosquitoes spread malaria?
Mosquitoes s u c k on human blood (from a bite) and pass plasmodium into the host. Plasmodium feeds on human red blood cells.
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Where do mosquitoes breed?
They breed in water
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What are benign tumours?
Benign tumour cells, such as in warts, divide slowly and are harmless
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How does knowledge of the mosquitoes life cycle help reduce the spread of malaria?
By draining stagnant water, putting oil on the water surface and spraying insecticide.
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How can you reduce the risk of some cancers such as lung and skin cancer?
Not smoking will reduce the risk or lung cancer and wearing sunscreen reduces the risk of skin cancer
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What are antibiotics?
An antibiotic destroys a pathogen
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What is passive immunity?
When you receive antibodies (from another human or animal) in the form of a vaccination resulting in short lasting immunity (quick)
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What are malignant tumours?
Malignant tumour cells, such as in cancer, grow uncontrollably and may spread
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How do pathogens cause the symptoms of an infectious disease?
By damaging the body's cells or producing poisonous waste products called toxins
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What are antivirals?
They slow down the pathogen's development
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What is active immunity?
When human white blood cells produce antibodies resulting in long lasting immunity. (slow-acting)
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How does the body protect itself against pathogens?
The body produces antibodies which lock onto the antigens (on the surface of the pathogen) killing the pathogen.
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Why are specific antibodies needed to kill different pathogens?
Because each pathogen has it's own antigens that require specific antibodies to kill it (lock and key)
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How does immunisation (vaccination) occur?
1. You're given a harmless pathogens which carries antigens 2. The antigens trigger an immune response from the bodies white blood cells to start producing antibodies 3. Then immunity remains and memory cells are produced (a type of T-lymphocyte)
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What are the benefits and risks of immunisation?
There may be possible side effects and small risks to the individual. However, it avoids a potentially lethal effect of the pathogen and decreases the risk of spreading the disease
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Why must we not use antibiotics in excess?
The excessive use of them has resulted in resistant forms of bacteria being more common than non-resistant forms. For example, MRSA which has caused serious illness
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How are new treatments such as vaccinations tested?
They are tested using animals, human tissue and computer models before human trials.
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Why do some people object to treatment testing on animals?
It may cause suffering to animals and it is unethical
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What is a placebo? Why are they used?
A harmless pill. They are used to compare it's effect to the real drug
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What is a blind trial?
A blind trial is when the patient does not know whether they're receiving the placebo or the real drug.
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What is a double-blind trial?
When the patient nor the doctor know which treatment is being used
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Why are blind trials and double-blind trials used?
They remove the 'feel-good' factor and bias.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What is a host?
Back
A living organism (e.g. humans) that carries the parasite and is harmed.
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