Disease Causing Pathogens
Disease Causing Pathogens
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi
Protozoa

Viruses: smallest pathogens, programmed to infect only certain body cells

Virus uses a body cells to reproduce itself it cannot be treated with medication.

Bacteria: single celled microorganism, 1000 different bacteria, but 100 cause disease.

Bacteria can be treated with antibiotics. Some bacteria are becoming immune to certain antibiotics.

Bacterial Diseases
Strep throat
Tuberculosis
Gonorrhea
Syphilis

Fungi: single celled or multicellular plantlike organism

Fungi can cause diseases of the skin, mucous membrane, and lungs.

Fungi Diseases
Athlete’s foot
Ringworm
Jock itch
Nail infections
Candidiasis

Protozoa: single celled organism that produces toxins that cause disease.

Protozoan Diseases
Malaria
Dysentery

Body Defenses
Skin
Tears, saliva, perspiration
Mucus membranes
Stomach Acids
Fever
Immune System

Skin
Unbroken skin prevents pathogens from entering the body.

Tears,Saliva, Perspiration

All contain chemicals that kill pathogens that enter through the mouth or may be on the skin.

Stomach Acids
Pathogens find there way to the stomach through the mouth and are killed.

Mucous Membranes
Pathogens are trapped and destroyed.

Fever
Higher body temperature may be helpful in fighting infections.

Immune System
Body system of cells and organs that fight disease.

T-Cells
White blood cells that locate harmful viruses and bacteria.

Phagocytes or Killer T-Cells
Kills pathogens by ingesting them.

B-Cells
Produce antibodies that cover the surface of the pathogen.

Antibodies
Protein covering on the surface of the pathogen makes it difficult to attack body cells.