Questions and Answers
What are disease-causing microorganisms called?
pathogen
Pathogenic microorganisms have special properties that allow them to invade the human body or produce toxins.
True
When a microorganism overcomes the body's defenses, a _____ results.
state of disease
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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_____ is the invasion and growth of pathogens in the body. A _____ is an organism that shelters and supports the growth of pathogens. _____ is an abnormal state in which part or all of the body is not properly adjusted or is incapable of performing normal functions.
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What phenomenon occurs when the normal microbiota can prevent pathogens from causing an infection?
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Normal microbiota and the host exist in _____.
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What are Koch's postulates?
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A patient may exhibit symptoms and signs to make a diagnosis, which include _____ and _____ changes.
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Disease occurrence is reported by _____ and _____ in a defined population, in a specified time.
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What are the 5 periods of disease?
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What is a reservoir of infection?
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Transmission of disease involves _____ contact, _____ contact, and _____ transmission.
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What is a syndrome?
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Communicable diseases are _____ and noncommunicable diseases are _____
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Study Notes
Pathogens and Disease
- Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms.
- Certain pathogenic microorganisms possess properties to invade the human body and produce toxins.
Disease States
- When a microorganism breaches the body’s defenses, it leads to a state of disease.
Key Concepts in Pathology
- Pathology: study of diseases and their effects on hosts.
- Etiology: cause of a disease.
- Pathogenesis: development process of a disease.
- Epidemiology: focuses on the timing, locations, and transmission of diseases.
Infections and Disease Relationships
- Infections occur through the invasion and growth of pathogens in the body.
- A host is an organism that provides shelter for pathogens.
- Disease refers to an abnormal state where the body cannot perform normal functions.
- Normal microbiota can prevent infections through microbial antagonism.
Symbiosis and Relationships
- Symbiosis: living together; includes three types:
- Commensalism: one benefits, the other unaffected.
- Mutualism: both benefit.
- Parasitism: one benefits at the other’s expense.
- Opportunistic pathogens can cause disease under certain conditions when a mutualistic relationship shifts to parasitism.
Koch's Postulates
- Criteria for associating specific microbes with specific diseases:
- Pathogen must be present in every instance of the disease.
- Pathogen must be isolated in pure culture.
- The isolated pathogen should cause the same disease in a susceptible laboratory animal.
- The pathogen must be re-isolated from the inoculated animal.
Diagnosis
- Symptoms (subjective changes) and signs (measurable changes) are vital for disease diagnosis.
Disease Metrics
- Disease occurrence is expressed in terms of incidence (new cases) and prevalence (existing cases) in a specified population and time.
Disease Progression
- Five periods of disease:
- Incubation period: time from infection to first symptoms.
- Prodromal period: mild signs and symptoms appear.
- Period of illness: disease peak with noticeable signs and symptoms.
- Period of decline: subsidence of symptoms.
- Period of convalescence: return to health.
Reservoirs of Infection
- Reservoirs of infection are continual sources of disease.
- Human reservoirs include infected individuals and carriers.
- Zoonoses are diseases from animals that can infect humans.
- Nonliving reservoirs like soil and water can also host pathogens.
Disease Transmission
- Disease transmission can occur through:
- Direct contact: physical interaction between sick and healthy individuals.
- Indirect contact: pathogen transfer without direct contact.
- Fomites: inanimate objects that transmit pathogens.
- Mechanisms: include droplets (through coughing/sneezing) and vectors (organisms like arthropods that carry pathogens).
Syndromes and Disease Types
- A syndrome is a specific group of symptoms or signs linked to a particular disease.
- Communicable diseases can spread from host to host.
- Contagious diseases are a subset of communicable diseases that spread rapidly.
- Noncommunicable diseases result from microorganisms that don't typically spread between hosts.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Chapter 14 of Biology, focusing on disease-causing microorganisms and their properties. Learn key terms such as pathogens, etiology, and more. Perfect for exam preparation and review.
