Pathogens and Infection

Pathogens and Infection:

A pathogen is a microorganism that causes infectious diseases when they're passed to an infected person to an infected person.

Bacteria Pathogens are:

• Cholera
• Food poisoning
• Dysentery
• Tuberculosis 

Virus Pathogens are:

• Influenza
• Mumps
• Measles
• AIDS

Fungi Pathogens are:

• Athletes Foot Fungus

Protoctists Pathogens are:

• Protozoan that causes Malaria

Pathogens can be spread by direct contact or carried by vectors. Vectors are animals that pass pathogens from one person to another.

Key Words:

Pathogens
Infectious diseases
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Protoctists
Protozoan
Vectors

Questions:

1. What is a pathogen?
2. Draw and complete a table showing pathogens and examples of diseases they spread.
3. Give two vector examples.

What you Should Know:

That infectious diseases are caused by pathogens.

How pathogens are spread, including:
a. In water, including cholera bacterium
b. by food, including Salmonella bacterium
c. airborne, including influenza virus.
d. by contact, including athlete's foot fungus.
e. by body fluids, including HIV
f. by animal vectors, including:
  i. housefly: dysentery bacterium
 ii. Anopheles mosquito: Malarial protozoan.