BRAINCAKECommunicable Diseases
Revision notes for Communicable Diseases in OCR Biology A (H020). Read the start of any lesson here, then sign in free for the whole lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz.
- Types of PathogensCommunicable diseases are diseases caused by pathogens.
- BacteriaMost bacteria are not pathogenic.
- VirusesViruses are non-living particles made of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat.
- ProtoctistsProtoctists are eukaryotes that include single-celled organisms such as amoeba or chlorella and cells grouped into colonies.
- FungiFungi are limited in the types of disease they cause.
- Modes of ActionPathogens cause diseases by damaging cells, digesting and destroying living cells or producing toxins that interfere with the essential processes of…
- Plant DiseasesPlant diseases threaten all ecosystems as other organisms are dependent of plants for food or habitats.
- TuberculosisIn animals communicable diseases range from mild to fatal.
- Bacterial MeningitisBacterial meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain, commonly by the bacteria Streptococcus pnemoniae…
- HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome caused by the the Human immunodeficiency virus HIV.
- InfluenzaInfluenza.
- Zoonotic InfluenzaZoonotic diseases are diseases that can be caught from animals.
- MalariaMalaria is caused by Plasmodium sp., a parasitic protist.
- Fungal DiseasesRing worm is a fungal diseases affecting mammals including cattle, dog, cats and humans.
- Transmission of PathogensSome pathogens can be cultured and identified using a microscope.
- Factors Affecting Transmission in AnimalsTransmission in animals is affected by socioeconomic factors and living conditions Overcrowding at work or in the home, poor nutrition, poor…
- Transmission of Pathogens Between PlantsPlants cannot move around or expel droplets containing pathogens into the air.
- Plant Defences against PathogensReceptors inside plant cells bind to molecules produced by pathogens or molecules produced when the cell wall is damaged.
- Mammals - non-Specific DefencesMammals have 2 lines of defence against pathogens. primary non-specific rapid, always present> specific - slower, specific to each pathogen The skin…
- Blood ClottingIf the skin is reached, the blood clots rapidly to seal the wound, prevent loss of blood and prevent pathogens from entering the body.
- Inflammatory ResponseLocal damage or irritants cause inflammation at a wound site.
- FeversThermoregulation is the ability of an organism to keep its body temperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very…
- PhagocytosisPhagocytosis is one main mechanisms of the non-specific immune defence and one of the first processes responding to infection.
- Counting Blood CellsThe hematocrit is the volume percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood, measured as part of a blood test.
- CytokinesCytokines are small secreted proteins released by a broad range of cells, including phagocytes that have engulfed pathogens and cells that have been…
- OpsoninsOpsonisation is the process of coating foreign particles or cells, such as bacteria, toxins ornithine viruses foreign particles, such as bacteria or…
- AntibodiesAntibodies are Y shaped glycoproteins called immunoglobulins.
- How Antibodies WorkNeutralisation.
- LymphocytesThe specific immune response depends on B and T lymphocytes.
- Cell-Mediated ImmunityA pathogen may change the cells of an organism upon infection or the cell could be changed by mutation as in the case of cancer cells.
- Humoral ImmunityHumoral immunity produces antibodies.
- Auto-Immune DiseasesThe immune system may stop recognising the body's own antigens and start attacking body tissues.
- Natural ImmunityThe body acquires natural active immunity when it has been exposed to a pathogen and the immune system has destroyed the pathogen.
- Artificial Passive ImmunityIt may be necessary to inject people with antibodies for some life-threatening diseases because antibodies are not produced quickly enough or in…
- Artificial Active ImmunityArtificial active immunity occurs when your body is intentionally exposed to a safe form of an antigen—such as a vaccine or toxoid—to trigger an…
- VaccinesVaccines are used to provide long-term immunity to many infectious diseases.
- Sources of MedicinesMedicines such as painkiller, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and antacids are used to cure people from disease or treat the symptoms to make…
- Drug DesignPharmacogenomics is the science of combining the knowledge of an individual's genetic material with the knowledge of the action of a drug to deliver…
- Antibiotic ResistanceAntibiotics work by interfering with the metabolism of bacteria and some fungi.
- MRSA and C. difficileAntibiotic resistance is a particular problem in hospitals and care homes.