10 Diseases and immunity

10.1 transmission of pathogens

● A pathogen is a disease causing microorganism. Many diseases are caused by
pathogens that get into our bodies and breed there.

Group to which pathogens belong Examples of diseases which they cause

Viruses Influenza, AIDS, measles, polio, common

cold

Bacteria Cholera, tuberculosis, tetanus, whooping

cough

Protoctotists Malaria, amoebic dysentery

Fungi Athlete’s foot, ringworm

● A person or animal in which the pathogen lives and breeds in is the host. Diseases
caused by pathogens can be passed from one host to another; these are known as
transmissible diseases.
● Some pathogens damage our cells by living in them and using resources, others cause
harm to cells and body systems by producing toxins, which can cause symptoms.

How pathogens enter the body

● The entry of the pathogen into the body is an infection.
● a pathogen is transmitted:
- by direct contact: through blood and other body fluid.
- Indirect contact: contaminated surfaces, food, animals and air

Body defences
● Mechanical:
- Hairs in the nose to help filter out particles in the air that could contain
pathogens.
- Skin prevents pathogens from entering the body. If the skin is broken platelets
work to form blood clots to seal the wound and stop pathogens from getting
inside.

● Chemical:
- Mucus in the airways traps bacteria and get swallowed rather than being
allowed to get into the lungs
- Hydrochloric acid in the stomach that kills bacteria in our food.

● Cells:
- Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogenic cells.
- Lymphocytes produce antibodies that clamp pathogenic cells together,
preventing them from moving to other areas and signalling other cells to
destroy them by releasing chemicals.

Controlling the spread of disease

● A clean water supply: Water is used for different purposes everyday; drinking,
washing and preparing food. Clean water is supplied by pipes where before entering
 pipes the water is filtered and treated with chlorine to kill bacteria. Having a clean
water supply prevents transmission of diseases like cholera, typhoid and diarrhea.

● Food hygiene: Having good food hygiene makes it less likely for you to get food
poisoning. Keeping your own bacteria and viruses away from food. Keeping animals
and insects like flies away from your food. Not keeping foods at room temperatures
for long time periods. Keeping raw meat away from other foods prevents transmission
of bacteria, that is why even before cooking meat it is advised to wash your meat first.

● Personal hygiene: Human skin makes an oil that helps to keep it supple and
waterproof. If the skin is not washed properly and regularly, this oil can build up along
with dirt that we have touched. If oil, dirt and sweat are left on the skin for a long time
period it can create a breeding environment for bacterias.

● Waste disposal: In some countries waste is regularly collected and taken to landfill
sites. If the landfill site is not safe the rubbish in the site is rotted by decomposers
especially bacteria, producing methane which is highly flammable that could cause
explosions.

● Sewage treatment: Sewage is a waste liquid that comes from houses and industries.
Sewage is mostly water but contains other substances like urine and faeces (dung),
detergents, oil and other chemicals.This sewage can harm people and the
environment, people who may come in contact with it may get ill especially if it gets
into your mouths.

10.2 The immune response

Antibodies
● An antibody is a protein molecule
(produced by lymphocytes) with a
particular shape. This shape is
complementary to the shape of an
antigen.

● Many antigens are found on the outside

of a pathogen with each pathogen having
its own antigens with specific shapes. To
destroy a particular pathogen, antibody
molecules must be made which are
perfect complements to the antigens on
the pathogen.

● Most of the time lymphocytes do not

produce antibodies, they wait for a signal
that a pathogen which can be destroyed
by their particular antibody is in your
body.

● The way in which lymphocytes respond

to pathogens, by producing antibodies is
called immune response.
Memory cells
● Not all lymphocytes make antibodies, some just remain in the blood and other parts of
the body, these are known as memory cells.
● If the same kind of pathogen gets into the body again, the memory cells immediately
make enough antibodies to kill the pathogen before they have time to produce more of
each other.

Vaccination
● A vaccine may contain weakened or dead viruses or bacteria that normally cause
disease and some only their antigen and not the complete virus or bacteria.
● Vaccines also make memory cells, which give long term immunity.
● A second vaccination or known as a booster, stimulates the lymphocytes and memory
cells to make even more antibodies and even more memory cells.

● The process: weakened pathogens or their antigens are put into the body. The
antigens stimulate an immune response by lymphocytes which produce antibodies.
Memory cells are produced that give long-term immunity

Active and passive immunity

● A person has active immunity if their body has made its own antibodies and memory
cells that protect against a disease(s).
● You can develop active immunity by:
- Having a disease and recovering from it
- Being vaccinated
● Active immunity can last a long time, sometimes even a lifetime.

● A person has passive immunity if they have been given ready-made antibodies that
have been made by other organisms.
● Babies gain passive immunity through breastfeeding, as breast milk contains the
mother's antibodies. These antibodies help protect the baby from diseases she is
immune to, offering protection in the first few months when the baby's immune
system is still developing.
● Passive immunity is short term and memory cells are not produced in passive
immunity.
Controlling disease by vaccination
● Herd Immunity – When a large percentage of a population is vaccinated, the spread of
disease is significantly reduced.
● Reduction in Disease Transmission – Vaccinated individuals are less likely to
contract and spread infections.
● Long-Term Protection – Some vaccines provide lifelong immunity, while others
require booster shots to maintain effectiveness. This ensures continued protection
against diseases over time.
● Prevention of Epidemics and Pandemics – Vaccination programs help prevent large-
scale outbreaks and control the spread of diseases globally.