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This section contains information on disease and immunity.
This section contains information on disease and immunity.
Diseases are not just caused by one thing. Pathogens are organisms that cause disease - an infectious disease is one which can be passed from person to person. Examples of pathogens that cause infectious diseases are tuberculosis (bacterium) and HIV (virus).
Mutations in a person’s genetic code can be passed on to their offspring. Cystic fibrosis is an example of a genetic disorder (sometimes called hereditary diseases).
The third thing that can cause disease is lifestyle. The choices made by a person can influence the kind of disorders that they are susceptible to.
Risk factors
Risk factors
Risk factors are things that increase the chances of a particular disease developing. It is important to note that the risk factors don’t always lead to the disease. Unavoidable risk factors are things like the genes that are inherited. Avoidable risk factors are those where lifestyle choices can make a difference.
Note: CVD means cardiovascular disease. This affects the heart and blood vessels.
Immunity
Immunity
1. Phagocytes
These are a type of white blood cell that detect the antigens on the surface of cells and viruses. They engulf and digest ‘foreign’ bodies, but leave ‘self’ (your own) alone.
2. B-lymphocytes
Another type of white blood cell, but these produce antibodies that bind to and destroy pathogens.
3. T-lymphocytes
A third type of white blood cell. These are the memory of the immune system - phagocytes present pathogens to the T-cells, and they activate the correct B-cells.
4. Vaccination
Vaccines contain dead or attenuated (weakened) pathogens. This causes the same immune response as a full blown infection, so if the same pathogen is encountered again it can be fought off quickly.
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