Year 9 Infectious Diseases

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are responsible for body defense against infection. They are a crucial part of the immune system and help to fight off pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. White blood cells can identify and destroy these harmful invaders, preventing the spread of infection throughout the body. They also play a role in inflammation and the healing process. Overall, white blood cells are essential for maintaining a healthy immune response and protecting the body from infections.

Algae are not agents for infectious diseases because they are photosynthetic organisms that primarily live in aquatic environments. They do not possess the ability to infect or cause diseases in humans or other organisms. On the other hand, viruses, bacteria, and fungi are known to be agents for infectious diseases as they can invade and multiply within host organisms, causing a wide range of illnesses.

A pathogen is a disease-causing microbe. Pathogens are microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that can cause disease in their hosts. They invade the host's body and can disrupt normal bodily functions, leading to illness or infection. Pathogens can be transmitted through various means such as direct contact, contaminated food or water, or through the air. Understanding pathogens and how they spread is crucial in preventing and treating infectious diseases.

A low fat diet is not a way to prevent infectious diseases. While a healthy diet can support overall immune function, it does not directly prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccination, personal hygiene, and using disinfectants are all effective measures to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

A pandemic disease refers to the rapid spread of a disease across the world. This means that the disease is not limited to a specific country or region, but instead affects multiple countries and continents. Pandemics are characterized by their ability to quickly and widely transmit from person to person, causing widespread illness and potentially high mortality rates. Examples of pandemic diseases include the Spanish flu in 1918 and the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The correct answer is "An organism that transfers a disease from one organism to another organism." A vector refers to an organism, typically an insect or arthropod, that carries and transmits a disease-causing pathogen from one host to another. Vectors play a crucial role in the spread of various infectious diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease. They act as intermediaries, transferring the pathogen without being affected themselves.

The correct answer is virus. This is because viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can cause diseases in humans and other organisms. The Eloba outbreak in 2014 resulted in the deaths of over 1000 people in Africa, indicating that it is caused by a pathogenic virus.

The correct answer is virus. Viruses are considered the smallest microbes as they are even smaller than bacteria. They are composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat, and they require a host cell to replicate. Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot survive or reproduce on their own and are dependent on infecting other living organisms.

Antibiotics work by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria. They achieve this by targeting specific components or processes within bacterial cells, such as interfering with cell wall synthesis or protein synthesis. By preventing bacteria from reproducing, antibiotics can effectively control and eliminate bacterial infections. However, it's important to note that antibiotics are not effective against viruses, as they have different mechanisms of replication and are not susceptible to the same targets as bacteria.

The production of antibodies by white blood cells is not considered a first line of defense in the body. Antibodies are part of the adaptive immune response, which is a secondary line of defense. The first line of defense includes physical and chemical barriers such as the skin epidermis, acid in the stomach, and tears that help prevent the entry and spread of pathogens. These barriers act as the body's initial defense mechanism before the immune system is activated.

AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which is a viral infection. HIV attacks and weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to various infections and diseases. It is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. Malaria, pneumonia, and cholera are caused by parasites, bacteria, and contaminated water respectively, not viruses.

During the cooking process, bacteria can produce toxins that are resistant to high temperatures and cannot be destroyed. These toxins can contaminate the food even if it is well cooked. This is why food poisoning can occur even when the food is properly cooked.

Superbugs are bacteria that have developed resistance to most antibiotics. This means that the usual antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections are no longer effective against these bacteria. Superbugs are a major concern in healthcare settings as they can cause severe and hard-to-treat infections. The development of antibiotic resistance is often due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which allows bacteria to adapt and become resistant to their effects.

Viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics because antibiotics are designed to target bacteria, not viruses. Antibiotics work by interfering with the growth and reproduction of bacteria, but they do not have the same effect on viruses. Viruses are much smaller and have a different structure than bacteria, which makes them resistant to antibiotics. Instead, antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections by targeting specific aspects of the virus's life cycle.

The second line of body defense refers to the inflammation response. Inflammation is a natural response of the body to protect itself from harmful stimuli such as pathogens, toxins, or injuries. It involves the dilation of blood vessels, increased blood flow, and the release of various chemicals that attract white blood cells to the site of infection or injury. This response helps to eliminate the harmful agents and initiate the healing process. Therefore, the inflammation response is an important defense mechanism of the body.

Viruses are the most common type of microorganisms that cause diseases in humans and other organisms. Unlike bacteria and fungi, viruses are not considered living organisms as they cannot reproduce or carry out metabolic activities on their own. Instead, they invade host cells and use their machinery to replicate and spread. Viruses are responsible for a wide range of diseases, including the common cold, flu, HIV, and COVID-19. They are highly efficient pathogens due to their ability to rapidly mutate and evade the immune system, making them difficult to treat and control.