(e)+pathogens+-+specific+examples

(10) Antibiotics (JOHAN)

(a) Where do antibiotics originate?

Penicillin was first found in bread mold fungus.

(b) How do they work?

Break down cell walls killing bacteria.

(c) Why are the “human patient” cells not affected?

We do not have cell walls only membranes.

(d) Explain why virus cells are not affected, and bacteria cells are.

They do not have cell walls because of they are only a genetic sequence.

(11) Choose one human bacterial disease and use it to answer the following questions. (JOHAN)

Staph Aureus (Staphylococcus)

(a) Describe the cause of the disease.

Abscess ( pocket of infect that forms at a sight of injury)

(b) How is this disease transmitted? (vectors)

Contaminated hands touching open wounds.

(c) What effects does it have on the human body?

Infection of bloodstream, pneumonia and bone/ joint infection.

__** (12) AIDS (as an example) **__

__** (a) Cause? **__ AIDS is caused by a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that infects cells of the immune system. It is a opportunistic diseases which means that they are actually a group of diseases.

It is caused by the weakening of the immune system as the HIV virus infects the immune system. When a person is infected with the virus, he/she will show an indicator illness or based on the results of a blood test in which the number of lymphocytes are counted and the less the number of lymphocytes, the weaker the immune system suggesting the capability of having AIDS. (lymphocytes are white blood cells that is in the immune system to fight diseases and germs)

__** (b) Transmission? **__

Transmission of the HIV virus can take place through:

•blood •semen •vaginal secretions •breast milk

Blood and semen got the highest concentration of the HIV virus.

The most common transmission of the HIV occurs when:


 * Unprotected sex occurs (vaginal or anal)
 * Sharing injection needles (especially from drug users)
 * Mother to child during birth or breastfeeding

__** (c) Effect on the human immune system **__

Lymphocytes create antibodies but Helper-T cells are needed for this to occur but HIV destroys the helper-T cells so no new type of antibodies are produced so then the HIV pathogen can survive for a long time within your body

So now, your body is extremely vulnerable not just from the HIV but from other pathogens as well

(d) Infection with HIV results in the progressive destruction of T-lymphocytes. Explain why this leads to an increasing number of opportunistic infections in AIDS sufferers

__** (e) Social implications? **__

Social implications: Relatives and friends suffer grief. Families can also suffer from a loss of income as the person infected by HIV can lose their wage if they are unable to work and are refused life insurance. Also, HIV patients may find it hard to find partners, employment and even housing. Finally, AIDS can cause fear in a population and reduce sexual activity.


 * People with AIDS can suffer from stigma and discrimination


 * Women are more likely to contract HIV from sex with an infected parter than men. This further increases the inequality between men and women in some countries


 * People who die as a result of HIV/AIDS are often at an age where they are the most productive members of society. In countries were AIDS causes many deaths,a relatively large proportion of the work force may be removed, delaying economic growth.


 * If both parents die because of AIDS, the country will need to spend resources on caring for the orphans.
 * If one adult in a household suffers from HIV/AIDS, she/he may face unemployment and not be able to earn an income. This may push the entire household into poverty, further reducing the chances of obtaining anti-viral drugs.


 * Poverty in itself increases the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS due to a lack of information (no school) and/or being forced to have sex in exchange for food/money. Also the incidence of rape may increase, which is also a factor in spreading HIV/AIDS.


 * It is expensive to treat people with HIV/AIDS so obtaining insurance might be a problem.


 * Use of condoms increases