Biology: Pathogens - Infection & Response

What is health and how do we get sick? Diseases can come from a number of sources and can impact our health to varying degrees. In this course, we will examine what we know about ill-health.

Diseases can communicable or non-communicable. Health can be physical and mental. A number of different factors effects our health both a local and global level.

health and disease infectious and non-infectious gobal health patterns

Pathogens - Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi and Protists. These are microscopic in size, but can be deadly in scope. Prepare not to feel hungry.

Pathogens - Viruses, Bacteria, Funghi and Protists. Prepare not to feel hungry.

pathogens guide pathogens overview bacteria viruses and funghi

How are pathogens transmitted between carriers? This mindmap illustrates how common behaviours, such as sex, sneezing or treating injuries can transmit pathogens.

pathogen spread human animal infection airborne pathogens

Bacteria can be beneficial or harmful. Likewise viruses can be used for inoculations, thereby strengthening the immune system. Here, we examine the characteristics of four types of pathogen.

Flashcards to review how infections are spread. These entities rely on a number of unique strategies to spread.

viral infections fungal infections bacterial infections

This MindMap illustrates the different defense mechanisms in the human body against contracting disease. There are physical defenses such as nose hairs, or even skin to prevent infection, as well as immune responses.

This MindMap illustrates the different defense mechanisms in the human body against contracting disease.

preventing disease fighting disease immune defence

Vaccination is the practice of providing the immune system with a small amount of the disease, so that it can build its defenses against it. Medicines are harvested from a range of such counter-intuitive sources.

vaccination medicines sources

A healthy body can defend itself from most attacks, but on occasion, medicines are required. Vaccinations, antibiotics and other drugs are used to treat various maladies. Painkillers help with comfort.

medical drug use vaccinations antibiotics

Drugs are produced from many sources, but often their effects cannot be known until they undergo a range of drug trials. There are many stages to this process.

In laboratory conditions, bacteria are grown that remain separated and unaffected by external elements. This process provides researchers with a better understanding of the bacteria's reaction to stimuli and compounds when they are introduced.

bacterial culture growth uncontaminated bacteria

Like animals, plants are equipped with a range of defense mechanisms against harmful agents. Thick bark, thorns and the ability to withstand fire are some examples. Humans have created pesticides and other mixtures to protect certain plants.

plant disease plant disease defense

Monoclonal antibodies can be synthetically produced and have a range of practical uses - one of which is as a key ingredient in pregnancy tests. They are also used to treat pathogens.

monoclonal antibodies pregnancy tests natural immunity

This quiz will look back on everything we have covered in this course from the different types of pathogens, sources of medicines and defense mechanisms of plants, among others. Test your knowledge here.

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