BIOC39H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-6: Gut Flora, Orthomyxoviridae, Pathogenic Bacteria
Document Summary
Elements of the immune system and their roles in defense. Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms which reproduce and evolve quicker than their human hosts. Infection microorganisms can pit a vast population of its species against the human: to respond to this; human body invests heavily in cells for defense = To achieve immunity the immune system must first do battle with the microorganism: highest risk duri(cid:374)g a hu(cid:373)a(cid:374)"s first i(cid:374)fe(cid:272)tio(cid:374) Inoculation with a virus offered protection against related viruses with less risk than the earlier virus. 1-1 numerous commensal microorganisms inhabit healthy human bodies. 1-2 pathogens are infectious organisms that cause disease. 4 kinds of pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (unicellular protozoa and multicellular invertebrates mainly worms) Human immunity = controlling infection sometimes to eliminate or limit size and location of the pathogen. Endemic diseases measles, chickenpox, malaria ubiquitous in a given population and to which most people are exposed to in childhood.
