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Sunday, 29 September 2013
Pathogens summary
What is disease?
not a single thing, description of certain symptoms, phys, mental or both.
Suggests a malfunction of body or/and mind.
What causes
disease?Infectious
diseases caused by micro-organisms – include bacteria, viruses, parasites and
fungi
Micro-organisms
that that cause disease are pathogens.
Remember there are
many different microorganisms found on and in the human body. Most do no harm.
How do pathogens enter the
body?
Pathogen
must penetrate one of the organism interface with the environment.
One
such interface is skin – Outer layer of skin consists of dead, dry cells made
of an indigestible protein, keratin.
Some
interfaces of the body have evolved to exchange of material between the
internal and external.
Thin,
moist, large SA, well supplied with blood vessels. So include;
Gas
exchange system – flu, tb, bronchitis
Digestive
system – pathogens carried by food and water – Cholera,typhoid and dysentery.
Prevent
entry, natural defences. Mucus, enzymes, stomach acid.
How do pathogens cause
disease?
1.Damaging host cells – sometimes sheer
number cause damage by preventing normal tissue function.
Viruses
inhibit synthesis if DNA, RNA and protein synthesis
Many
pathogens will break down membranes
2.
Producing toxins – most bacterial produce toxins. The cholera bacterium
produces a toxin that leads to excessive water loss from the lining of the
intestines.
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