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Questions and Answers
Which term describes a microorganism that causes a disease?
Which term describes a microorganism that causes a disease?
What type of pathogen causes Athlete's foot?
What type of pathogen causes Athlete's foot?
Which statement about communicable diseases is true?
Which statement about communicable diseases is true?
Which of the following is NOT a type of non-communicable disease?
Which of the following is NOT a type of non-communicable disease?
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How do pathogens spread to infect other organisms?
How do pathogens spread to infect other organisms?
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What is the term for diseases that are caused by pathogens?
What is the term for diseases that are caused by pathogens?
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Study Notes
Pathogens
- A pathogen is a microorganism that causes a disease.
- There are four main types of pathogens: viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists.
Types of Pathogens
- Viruses: cause diseases such as HIV (potentially leading to AIDS) in animals and tobacco mosaic virus in plants.
- Bacteria: cause diseases such as Salmonella in animals and Agrobacterium in plants.
- Fungi: cause diseases such as athlete's foot in animals and rose black spot in plants.
- Protists: cause diseases such as malaria in animals and downy mildew in plants.
Life Cycle of Pathogens
- All pathogens have a simple life cycle: infect a host, reproduce or replicate, spread from the host, and infect other organisms.
- Pathogens have structural adaptations that enable them to complete their life cycles and cause further disease.
Communicable Diseases
- Diseases caused by pathogens are called communicable diseases.
- Communicable diseases can be transferred from one person to another.
Non-Communicable Diseases
- Inherited genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, are not caused by pathogens.
- Deficiency diseases, such as scurvy (caused by a lack of vitamin C), are not caused by pathogens.
- Diseases like cancer, which develop as a result of exposure to carcinogens or incorrect cell division, are not caused by pathogens.
Transmission of Pathogens
- Transmission can occur in various ways, including:
- Direct contact
- Indirect contact
- Airborne transmission
- Vector transmission (e.g., through insects)
- Contaminated food and water
- Infected bodily fluids
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Description
Explore the four main types of pathogens - viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists, with examples in animals and plants. Learn about their life cycles and how they infect hosts to spread diseases.
