Defense against infectious disease
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Understandings:
• The skin and mucous membranes form a primary defence against pathogens that cause infectious disease.
• Antibiotics block processes that occur in prokaryotic cells but not in eukaryotic cells.
• Viruses lack a metabolism and cannot therefore be treated with antibiotics.
Some strains of bacteria have evolved with genes that confer resistance to antibiotics and some strains of bacteria have multiple resistance.
• The skin and mucous membranes form a primary defence against pathogens that cause infectious disease.
• Antibiotics block processes that occur in prokaryotic cells but not in eukaryotic cells.
• Viruses lack a metabolism and cannot therefore be treated with antibiotics.
Some strains of bacteria have evolved with genes that confer resistance to antibiotics and some strains of bacteria have multiple resistance.
• Application: Florey and Chain’s experiments to test penicillin on bacterial infections in mice
• Application: Effects of HIV on the immune system and methods of transmission.
• The effects of HIV on the immune system should be limited to a reduction in the number of active lymphocytes and a loss of the ability to produce antibodies, leading to the development of AIDS.
• The effects of HIV on the immune system should be limited to a reduction in the number of active lymphocytes and a loss of the ability to produce antibodies, leading to the development of AIDS.
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• Ingestion of pathogens by phagocytic white blood cells gives non-specific immunity to diseases.
• Production of antibodies by lymphocytes in response to particular pathogens gives specific immunity: Humoral and Cell- mediated |
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BLOOD CLOTTING
- Cuts in the skin are sealed by blood clotting.
- Clotting factors are released from platelets.
- The cascade results in the rapid conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin by thrombin.
- Application: Causes and consequences of blood clot formation in coronary arteries.
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International-mindedness:
• The spread and containment of diseases such as bird flu require international coordination and communication.
Utilization:
• An understanding of immunity has led to the development of vaccinations.
Aims:
• Aim 8: The social as well as the economic benefits of the control of bacterial diseases around the world should be stressed.
• Aim 9: Science has limited means in the fight against pathogens, as shown by the spread of new diseases and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Guidance:
• Diagrams of skin are not required.
• Subgroups of phagocyte and lymphocyte are not required but students should be aware that some lymphocytes act as memory cells and can quickly
reproduce to form a clone of plasma cells if a pathogen carrying a specific antigen is re-encountered.
• The spread and containment of diseases such as bird flu require international coordination and communication.
Utilization:
• An understanding of immunity has led to the development of vaccinations.
Aims:
• Aim 8: The social as well as the economic benefits of the control of bacterial diseases around the world should be stressed.
• Aim 9: Science has limited means in the fight against pathogens, as shown by the spread of new diseases and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Guidance:
• Diagrams of skin are not required.
• Subgroups of phagocyte and lymphocyte are not required but students should be aware that some lymphocytes act as memory cells and can quickly
reproduce to form a clone of plasma cells if a pathogen carrying a specific antigen is re-encountered.
