Causes and Spread of Infection
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Understanding the causes of infection
1.1 Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Bacterial and fungi infections are easy to cure with the use of antibiotics, where as viruses can be hard to cure or vaccinate against, such as the common cold. Bacteria can be found everywhere and anywhere Soil, Water, Plants, Animals, material and even deep in the earth's crust. Bacteria feed themselves by making there food with the use of sunlight and water. We would not be able to live without Bacteria. The human body consists of lots of friendly bacteria which also protect us from dangerous ones by occupying places in the body. Some of the most deadly diseases and devastating epidemics in human history have been caused by Bacteria. Pneumonia, Tuberculosis and Typhoid are three Bacterial diseases which have destroyed hundreds of millions of human lives.
Fungi are similar to plants in many ways but Fungi cannot make there own food. Fungi have to release digestive enzymes that decompose things around them, turning them into food. The fungus then absorbs the dissolved foods through the walls of its cells. Fungi can cause serious diseases to humans a example is vaginal yeast infection which is caused by overgrowth of fungus Small amounts of yeast are always in the vagina. But when too much yeast grows, you can get an infection. We also use Fungi for example yeast in food manufacturing. Yeast is needed for the fermentation of wine, beers and other alcoholic drinks. We add yeast to dough to make the bread rise when we bake it. Fungi are also used in agriculture for pest control and to protect crops from diseases. Many types of antibiotics come from fungi, such as penicillin. Penicillin works by destroying the wall of a bacterial cell. Fungal antibiotics are extensively used for treating tuberculosis. Fungi also cause athletes foot and thrush.
A parasite is an organism that lives in another organism, called the host, and often harms it.
Understanding the causes of infection
1.1 Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Bacterial and fungi infections are easy to cure with the use of antibiotics, where as viruses can be hard to cure or vaccinate against, such as the common cold. Bacteria can be found everywhere and anywhere Soil, Water, Plants, Animals, material and even deep in the earth's crust. Bacteria feed themselves by making there food with the use of sunlight and water. We would not be able to live without Bacteria. The human body consists of lots of friendly bacteria which also protect us from dangerous ones by occupying places in the body. Some of the most deadly diseases and devastating epidemics in human history have been caused by Bacteria. Pneumonia, Tuberculosis and Typhoid are three Bacterial diseases which have destroyed hundreds of millions of human lives.
Fungi are similar to plants in many ways but Fungi cannot make there own food. Fungi have to release digestive enzymes that decompose things around them, turning them into food. The fungus then absorbs the dissolved foods through the walls of its cells. Fungi can cause serious diseases to humans a example is vaginal yeast infection which is caused by overgrowth of fungus Small amounts of yeast are always in the vagina. But when too much yeast grows, you can get an infection. We also use Fungi for example yeast in food manufacturing. Yeast is needed for the fermentation of wine, beers and other alcoholic drinks. We add yeast to dough to make the bread rise when we bake it. Fungi are also used in agriculture for pest control and to protect crops from diseases. Many types of antibiotics come from fungi, such as penicillin. Penicillin works by destroying the wall of a bacterial cell. Fungal antibiotics are extensively used for treating tuberculosis. Fungi also cause athletes foot and thrush.
A parasite is an organism that lives in another organism, called the host, and often harms it.