Diseases and immunity
12 flashcards to master Diseases and immunity
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Define a pathogen.
A pathogen is a disease-causing organism. Examples include bacteria (like *Vibrio cholerae* causing cholera), viruses (like influenza), fungi (like athlete's foot), and protozoa (like *Plasmodium* causing malaria).
What is a transmissible disease?
A transmissible disease is a disease in which the pathogen can be passed from one host to another. Examples include influenza, cholera, and athlete's foot. These diseases are spread through various means from an infected individual to a healthy one.
List three ways a pathogen can be transmitted indirectly.
Pathogens can be transmitted indirectly through contaminated surfaces (
Describe the role of skin in body defense.
Skin acts as a physical barrier, preventing pathogens from entering the body. It also produces oils and sweat which can inhibit the growth of some pathogens.
Explain the importance of a clean water supply in controlling disease spread.
A clean water supply prevents the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, caused by the bacterium *Vibrio cholerae*. Ensuring water is free from pathogens reduces the risk of ingestion and subsequent infection.
Define active immunity.
Active immunity is a defence against a pathogen by antibody production in the body. It can occur after natural infection or through vaccination, resulting in long-term protection. An example is the body producing antibodies after contracting measles.
What are antigens, and what role do they play in immunity?
Antigens are molecules, often proteins, on the surface of pathogens, which have specific shapes. These shapes trigger an immune response, leading to antibody production.
Explain how antibodies work to fight pathogens.
Antibodies are proteins that bind to specific antigens on pathogens. This binding can directly destroy pathogens or mark them for destruction by phagocytes (white blood cells). Each antibody has a shape complementary to the shape of its antigen.
Outline the process of vaccination.
Vaccination involves introducing weakened pathogens or their antigens into the body. This stimulates lymphocytes to produce antibodies and memory cells, providing long-term immunity without causing the disease. An example is the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella.
What is passive immunity, and how is it acquired?
Passive immunity is a short-term defence against a pathogen by antibodies acquired from another individual. This can occur across the placenta from mother to fetus or through breast milk.
Why is breastfeeding important for infant immunity?
Breastfeeding provides infants with passive immunity by transferring antibodies from the mother's milk to the baby. These antibodies protect the infant from infections during the first few months of life.
Explain how *Vibrio cholerae* causes diarrhoea and dehydration.
The *Vibrio cholerae* bacterium produces a toxin that causes chloride ions to be secreted into the small intestine. This leads to osmotic movement of water into the gut, causing diarrhoea, dehydration, and loss of ions from the blood.
Key Questions: Diseases and immunity
Define a pathogen.
A pathogen is a disease-causing organism. Examples include bacteria (like *Vibrio cholerae* causing cholera), viruses (like influenza), fungi (like athlete's foot), and protozoa (like *Plasmodium* causing malaria).
What is a transmissible disease?
A transmissible disease is a disease in which the pathogen can be passed from one host to another. Examples include influenza, cholera, and athlete's foot. These diseases are spread through various means from an infected individual to a healthy one.
Define active immunity.
Active immunity is a defence against a pathogen by antibody production in the body. It can occur after natural infection or through vaccination, resulting in long-term protection. An example is the body producing antibodies after contracting measles.
What are antigens, and what role do they play in immunity?
Antigens are molecules, often proteins, on the surface of pathogens, which have specific shapes. These shapes trigger an immune response, leading to antibody production.
What is passive immunity, and how is it acquired?
Passive immunity is a short-term defence against a pathogen by antibodies acquired from another individual. This can occur across the placenta from mother to fetus or through breast milk.
About Diseases and immunity (10.1)
These 12 flashcards cover everything you need to know about Diseases and immunity for your Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) exam. Each card is designed based on the official syllabus requirements.
What You'll Learn
- 5 Definitions - Key terms and their precise meanings that examiners expect
- 3 Key Concepts - Core ideas and principles from the 0610 syllabus
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