Pathogens

Question 1

What are the 5 types of pathogens?

Answer 1

1. Viruses
2. Bacteria
3. Prions
4. Protozoa
5. Fungi

Question 2

State characteristic of viruses

Answer 2

Non-cellular pathogens (not living)

Question 3

What are all viruses contain/made up of?

Answer 3

• DNA/RNA
• Protein Coat

Question 4

State how viruses replicate

Answer 4

• Each virus infects specific cells for reproduction
• Virus enters cells and DNA/RNA enters nucleus
• Viral mRNA produces viral proteins to form new viruses
• Viruses are relased outside of cell

Question 5

State characteristic of Bacteria

Answer 5

single-celled, prokaryotic organisms (Living and have no nucleus)

Question 6

How do Bacteria cause disease?

Answer 6

• Bacteria can poduce toxins which cause harm to body
• Toxins can inhibit protein synthesis, damage cell membranes, interfere with nerve functin, cause fever or diarrhoea, etc.

Question 7

State characteristic of prions

Answer 7

• An infectious, non-cellular agent which is abnormal form of a glycoprotein normally found in host
• Contain no nucleic acid (non-living)

Question 8

How are prions formed?

Answer 8

• People cotain genes to make normal prion proteins, which are found mostly in nerve cells
• Prions is an infectious misfolded prion protein

Question 9

How do prions cause disease and what are the effects?

Answer 9

• When abnormal prion enters host and touches normal protein, it transforms it to abnormal prion
• Prions cause cell to burst and infect other cells
• Effects include: Loss of coordination, dementia and death

Question 10

What is a characteristic of protozoa?

Answer 10

• Single-celled, eukaryotic cells (Alive and have nucleus)

Question 11

What are Fungi?

Answer 11

• Varied group of small eukaryotic organisms (Alive and hav enucleus)
• Possess cell wall

Question 12

How do Fungi cause disease?

Answer 12

• Feed by extending hair-like structures (mycelium)
• These secrete digestive enzymes which break down cells and cause disease
• Digested product return back to fungi for absorbtion