8.L.1.1 Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, and Parasites Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is an infectious disease?

Any disease caused by a pathogen such as virus, bacteria, parasite, algae, protozoa, or fungus.

What is a pathogen?

Tiny organisms that invade the body and make it sick.

What is a virus?

Very small particles that take over the cells of living organisms.

What are host cells?

Cells of living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a vaccine?

Used to prevent or decrease the impact of viral disease. Signup and view all the answers

What are bacteria?

Tiny little organisms that are everywhere around us. Signup and view all the answers

What are antibiotics?

Helps to fight off the bad pathogens, mostly bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What is a parasite?

An organism that feeds on a living host. Signup and view all the answers

What is a host in the context of parasites?

An organism on which a parasite lives. Signup and view all the answers

What are fungi?

An organism that absorbs nutrients from the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are protists?

Kingdom composed of eukaryotes that are not classified as plants, animals, or fungi. Signup and view all the answers

What are algae?

Grow in soil, on trees and in water; smallest of all green plants. Signup and view all the answers

What are eukaryotes?

Cells that contain a nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What are prokaryotes?

Cells that do not contain a nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infectious Disease

Caused by pathogens like viruses, bacteria, parasites, algae, protozoa, or fungi.
Pathogens are germs that invade the body and lead to illness.

Pathogen

Microorganisms that can invade and cause disease in humans and other organisms.
Include various entities such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Virus

Extremely small particles that can hijack host cells for replication.
Require living host cells to reproduce and are responsible for numerous diseases.

Host Cell

Cells of living organisms that provide an environment for viruses and other pathogens to multiply.

Vaccine

A preventive measure designed to diminish the severity of viral diseases.
Works by stimulating the immune response to recognize and fight off specific pathogens.

Bacteria

Microscopic organisms found almost everywhere in the environment.
Can be beneficial or harmful, with some responsible for diseases and others essential for biological processes.

Antibiotics

Medications used to treat bacterial infections.
Effective against bad bacteria by inhibiting their growth or killing them directly.

Parasite

An organism that lives and feeds on a host organism.
Can cause harm to the host while deriving nutrients from it.

Host

The living organism that provides sustenance for a parasite.
Critical for the life cycle and survival of parasitic organisms.

Fungi

Organisms that decompose organic matter and absorb nutrients from their surroundings.
Includes molds, yeasts, and mushrooms, playing a vital role in ecosystems.

Protist

A diverse kingdom composed of eukaryotic microorganisms.
Not classified as plants, animals, or fungi; includes algae and protozoa.

Algae

Simple, photosynthetic organisms that can grow in water, soil, and on surfaces.
Considered the smallest of all green plants; important for aquatic ecosystems.

Eukaryotes

Cells that contain a defined nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes.
Includes a vast array of organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Prokaryotes

Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Includes bacteria and archaea; generally smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells.

Description

Explore flashcards related to infectious diseases and their pathogens. This quiz provides essential definitions and concepts regarding viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, highlighting their roles in causing diseases. Perfect for students seeking to reinforce their understanding of microbiology.