UNIT4223-008 Causes and spread of infection (IC02) 1.1Bacteria are living things that are neither plants nor animals but belong to a group all by themselves. They are very small individually, not more than one single cell however there are normally millions of them together, for they can multiply really fast. Bacteria are prokaryotes (single cells that do not contain a nucleus). Every species has great ability to produce off spring and its population expands until it runs out of food or it is limited by competition, its own waste products, or some other factor. Changes in climate or introduction of a new species from elsewhere can greatly affect the balance of nature; some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease causing cells, and give the body needed vitamins, bacteria are also used in making healthy foods like yogurt and cheese.
When a virus enters the body, it enters some certain cells and takes over making the now host cell make the parts the virus needs to reproduce, the cells are eventually destroyed through this process. The most common viruses is the common cold, which has no cure. Fungi Mould, yeast and mushrooms are all types of Fungi. Fungi live in the air, water, soil and on plants and they can live in the body, usually without causing illness. Some fungi have beneficial uses.
1.1 identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites Bacteria are living things which are neither plants or animals, but belong to a group by themselves. They are small, not more than one cell, but there are normally millions of them together. Virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. All viruses have genes made either from DNA or RNA, long molecules that carry genetic information. Fungi are Eukaryotes when compared to bacteria and fungi.
Causes and spread of infections 1 Understanding the cause of infection Bacteria can be both beneficial and pathogenic. These single cell micro-organisms are tiny living beings, neither plant or animal, that normally exist together in millions and reproduce only asexually. Some of their common illnesses and infections include ear infections, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, diphtheria, bacterial meningitis, gastritis and sinusitis. Viruses differ from bacteria, being coated genetic material and in that they do not reproduce on food, needing a living host to do so. They replicate by invading targeted cells of their host and taking over genetic material responsible for reproduction.
Some bacteria can fight off harmful bacteria helping to prevent illness. Viruses are a small infectious agent that replicates only the inside of living cells of other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals to plants to micro organisms. Most viruses are too small to be seen with an optical microscope. Viruses can spread in many ways.
A virus is a small piece of genetic material that has a protein coating to protect itself. A virus exists for the single purpose of reproducing. They invade and ‘hijack’ normal living cells and then multiply and produce viruses like themselves. The cells eventually die from this and this is what can make people ill. Many people get viruses from either swallowing or inhaling them, being bitten or sexual contact.
1.1 Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Bacteria: A bacteria is a single celled organism, they are either a parasite or live independently. Bacteria have three basic shapes. Antibiotics can usually kill them; A few examples of bacteria could be meningitis, Ear infections, and conjunctivitis. Fungi :A Fungus is a spore producing organism and can live as a single celled yeast or as a larger multi-cellular mould.
Unit 265 Causes and spread of infection. Outcome 1: Understand the causes of Infection. 1.1 The differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are: Bacteria – A single cell micro-organism. Some bacteria are good and beneficial for the body and some are bad and can make you ill. Viruses – Non-living pathogens.
However, the extent of damage caused by root-knot nematode infections varies with host, timing of infection, and cultural conditions. Root-knot nematode infection often is easy to identify because of the swellings in roots that look like “knots.” The swellings become large and easy to see on some hosts such as squash, but may be smaller and less conspicuous on others such as chile pepper. Multiple infections on one root result in a swollen, rough appearance. Root-knot nematodes are very small and can only be observed using a microscope. Disease Environmental conditions Unlike free-living nematodes that are numerous in all soils, plant parasitic nematodes must feed on a plant host in order to complete their life cycle.
Some bacteria have even been revived after being suspended in amber (fossilized tree sap) for tens of millions of years! In our everyday common experiences, microbes are virtually ubiquitous. They are in the air we breathe, the foods we eat, and the water we drink. Microorganisms contaminate the surfaces of objects that we use (like this sheet of paper) as well as the skin of our fingers. In practical terms, the only places where microorganisms are not found are places where we intentionally exclude them.