Vaccination and Public Health

Immunizations/Vaccinations

• Work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight specific infectious diseases.
• Introduce a vaccine to the body, triggering antibody production that specifically targets the disease.
• Antibodies "remember" the antigen, allowing a faster response if the pathogen is encountered again.
• Crucial for preventing the spread of diseases like polio, tetanus, whooping cough, rubella, measles, HPV.
• Protect individuals and communities from health consequences.

Immunization Myths

• Vaccines cause autism.
• Vaccines contain harmful toxins.
• Too many vaccines overwhelm the immune system.
• Natural immunity is better than vaccine-acquired immunity.

Public Health Strategies

• Prevention Programs: Strategies to promote healthy lifestyles (including immunization, education, and screening services) to reduce the impact of illnesses.
• Example: Promoting healthy eating to reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases.
• Smoke-Free Environments: Reduce tobacco use, benefiting both smokers and non-smokers. Reduces the risk of cancers and other diseases caused by exposure to smoke.
• Healthy Outdoor Lifestyles: Protect against sun exposure and diseases like West Nile Virus. Reduces cancer risk and illnesses.
• Screening Programs: Detect and treat illnesses early to prevent significant health impacts. Include cancer and DNA screenings.

Cell Organelles/Structures

• Cell Membrane: A protective barrier that controls substances entering and leaving the cell.
• Nucleus: Controls cell activities, including growth and repair, and contains DNA.
• Mitochondria: Converts sugars into energy for the cell.
• Ribosomes: Produce proteins.
• Cell Wall: Provides strength, protection, and support to plant cells, bacteria, fungi, and some algae.

Cell Type-Specific Organelles

• Plant Cells: Chloroplasts and cell wall.
• Animal Cells: Lysosomes and centrioles.

Cell Cycle

• The repeating cycle of events in a cell's life.
• Interphase: Cell growth and preparation for division.
• Cell Division (Mitosis and Cytokinesis): Cell division.

Interphase Stages

• G1 phase: Cell produces proteins and organelles for normal functioning.
• S phase: Cell copies its DNA.
• G2 phase: Cell produces organelles and structures for division.

Human Chromosomes

• Humans have 46 chromosomes.

Chromatin, Chromosomes, Sister Chromatids

• Chromatin: Uncondensed DNA in the nucleus during late interphase and early prophase.
• Chromosomes: Condensed X-shaped form of chromatin during prophase.
• Sister Chromatids: Two identical arms of a chromosome that separate during anaphase, joined at the centromere.

Stages of Mitosis/Cell Cycle (identified)

• Early Prophase (chromosomes condense, centrioles move, spindle fibers form)
• Late Prophase (nuclear envelope breaks down, chromosomes connected to spindle fibers)
• Metaphase (chromosomes line up at the cell center)
• Anaphase (sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles)
• Telophase and Cytokinesis (spindle breaks down, two new nuclei form, cell membrane pinches in to create new cells)
• Interphase (cell growth and preparation for division)

Events During Mitosis Phases

• Early Prophase: Chromatin condenses to chromosomes; centrioles move to poles; spindle fibers form.
• Late Prophase: Nuclear envelope breaks down; each chromosome connected to spindle fiber at the centromere.
• Metaphase: Chromosomes line up at the center of the cell.
• Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.
• Telophase/Cytokinesis: Spindle breaks down; two new nuclei form; chromosomes lose distinct shape; cytoplasm and cell membrane pinch to form two daughter cells.

Cell Specialization

• The process where stem cells develop into various cell types.

Stem Cells

• Unspecialized cells with the potential to become many different cell types.

Embryonic vs. Adult Stem Cells

• Embryonic stem cells: Found in embryos, with the potential to become many different cell types.
• Adult stem cells: Found in adults, with the potential to become a more limited number of cell types.

Characteristics of Abnormal (Cancer) Cells

• Grow and divide uncontrollably.
• Crowd together tightly.
• Irregularly shaped.
• Large, dark-staining nuclei.
• Multiple nuclei per cell.
• Frequent and abnormal mitosis.

Organ System Functions (Summary)

• Circulatory: Transports blood, nutrients, gases, wastes.
• Digestive: Ingests, breaks down, absorbs nutrients, removes wastes.
• Respiratory: Controls breathing, exchanges gases.
• Excretory: Removes liquid wastes.
• Lymphatic: Defends against infections.
• Muscular: Movement, works with bones.
• Endocrine: Produces hormones to regulate body systems.
• Reproductive: Produces offspring.
• Integumentary: Protective skin, hair, nails.
• Nervous: Detects changes, signals responses.
• Skeletal: Supports, protects, allows movement.

Animal Tissues and Functions

• Epithelial: Protective barrier (e.g., squamous cells).
• Connective: Joins tissues (e.g., red blood cells).
• Muscle: Movement (e.g., skeletal muscle cells).
• Nervous: Sends and receives messages (e.g., neurons).

Organ Systems Interaction During Activity (Example)

• Muscle contraction (muscular system) requires signals from the brain (nervous system).
• Blood flow increases to deliver oxygen (circulatory system) required by muscles.
• Diaphragm action increases oxygen intake, exchanging gases (respiratory system).
• Blood collects nutrients (digestive system) fueling muscle activity.
• If intense, lactic acid builds up as the body shifts to less efficient energy processes.

Explore the importance of immunizations and debunk common myths surrounding vaccines. Learn about public health strategies that promote vaccinations to protect individuals and communities against infectious diseases. This quiz will test your knowledge on the efficacy and safety of vaccines.