Infectious vs. Non-Infectious
This type of disease cannot be caught or transmitted from person to person; examples include diabetes and scurvy.
non-infectious disease
These single-celled prokaryotic organisms can cause illnesses like strep throat, but can usually be treated using antibiotics.
bacteria
The skin, mucous membranes, and stomach acid form this physical and chemical line of defence to keep pathogens out entirely.
first line of defence
This process involves introducing a weakened or harmless part of a pathogen into the body to safely trigger an immune response and build memory cells.
vaccination
This term describes the body’s ability to maintain a stable, constant internal environment despite changes in the external world.
homeostasis
Unlike non-infectious diseases, infectious diseases are caused by these microscopic organisms or agents that invade the body.
pathogens
These non-living, microscopic packages of genetic material require a host cell to reproduce and cause illnesses like influenza or COVID-19.
viruses
This second line of defence response causes localized swelling, redness, and heat to bring blood flow and white blood cells to an infected area.
inflammatory response
These drugs are used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, but they are completely useless against viral infections.
antibiotics
This is the most common type of feedback loop in the human body, where the system works to reverse or counter a detected change.
negative feedback loop?
This category of non-infectious disease is caused by mutations or abnormalities passed down from parents to their children, such as cystic fibrosis.
Genetic disease
Tinea (athlete's foot) and ringworm are common infectious skin conditions caused by this kingdom of spore-producing organisms.
fungi
These specialized white blood cells in the second line of defence act like tiny "Pac-Men," engulfing and destroying foreign invaders.
phagocytes
When conducting a microbiology experiment in class, this phrase describes the sterile practice of cleaning benches, using flames, and wearing gloves to prevent contamination.
aseptic technique
When your core body temperature drops too low, your muscles rapidly contract and relax to generate heat in an example of this homeostatic process.
shivering
Scurvy, rickets, and iron-deficiency anaemia fall into this specific sub-category of non-infectious conditions.
nutritional diseases
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium, which belongs to this group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms.
protists (or protozoa)
These Y-shaped proteins are produced by B-cells to specifically bind to and target a unique pathogen for destruction.
antibodies
To test the effectiveness of different antiseptics on agar plates, you measure this clear zone where bacterial growth has been stopped.
zone of inhibition
In a blood glucose feedback loop, this organ acts as the control centre by detecting high sugar levels and releasing the hormone insulin.
pancreas
This term describes a disease that spreads globally across multiple countries or continents, whereas an epidemic is restricted to a specific region.
Pandemic
These abnormal, misfolded proteins contain no genetic material but can cause fatal brain conditions like Mad Cow Disease.
prions
The third line of defence is described by this word because it targets unique individual pathogens and creates a "memory" of them for future protection.
specific (or the adaptive immune system)
This global health crisis happens when bacteria mutate over time so that standard medical treatments can no longer kill them.
antibiotic resistanc
Unlike negative feedback, this rarer type of loop amplifies or increases a change, driving a process forward, such as blood clotting or child birth.
positive feedback loop