Lesson 1: Pathogens

Question 1

What are pathogens?

Answer 1

• Pathogens are micro- organisms that cause infectious disease.

Question 2

How do bacteria make us ill?

Answer 2

• Bacteria reproduce very rapidly
• can divide every 20 mins
• Bacteria release harmful chemicals (toxins)
• Toxins damage tissues: make us feel ill.

Question 3

Give 3 ways pathogens spread ?

Answer 3

1.) Air eg. by water droplets ie. influenza.
2.) Water eg. cholera
3.) Direct contact (touching surfaces, sex) eg. HIV.

Question 4

How are viruses different to bacteria?

Answer 4

• Viruses cannot reproduce by themselves.
• They need a host cell

Question 5

What are the 3 stages of a virus causing illness?

Answer 5

1.) Virus invades host cell
2.) Virus reproduces inside the host cell.
3.) Causes cell damage: Reproduction causes host cell to burst: making us feel ill.

Question 6

How do you reduce the spread of pathogens?

Answer 6

• Wash your hands before eating
• Provide people with clean water
• Isolate patients: prevents pathogen spreading to other people.
• Avoid direct contact ie. use a condom.
• Vaccination!!

Question 7

Give the 4 different types of pathogens.

Answer 7

• Virus
• Bacteria
• Protist
• Fungi