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Understanding Microorganisms and Pathogens

Apr 16, 2025

Microorganisms and Pathogens

Introduction to Microorganisms

  • Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, protists, and fungi.
  • Not all microorganisms cause problems; a small group called pathogens do.
  • Pathogens: Microorganisms that can cause disease.
  • Diseases caused by pathogens are known as communicable or infectious diseases.
  • These diseases can affect both animals and plants.

Types of Pathogens

  • Future videos will explore the four types of pathogens and examples of diseases they cause.
    • Bacteria
    • Viruses
    • Protists
    • Fungi

How Pathogens Spread

  1. Through the Air

    • Airborne pathogens like influenza or measles virus spread through tiny droplets from coughs or sneezes.
  2. Contaminated Food and Water

    • Cholera: Spread by drinking water contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person.
    • Salmonella: Spread by eating contaminated food, especially chicken.
  3. Direct Contact

    • Athlete's Foot: A fungal infection spread by walking barefoot on contaminated surfaces like public swimming pools.

Measures to Reduce Pathogen Spread

  1. Hygiene

    • Wash hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
    • Clean cooking items like knives and chopping boards.
  2. Killing Vectors

    • Vectors: Organisms that transport pathogens, e.g., mosquitoes for malaria.
    • Use insecticides to kill vectors.
  3. Vaccination

    • Vaccinating everyone prevents them from catching and spreading the disease.
  4. Quarantine

    • Isolating or quarantining individuals with serious diseases to prevent spread.

Recap

  • Pathogens spread via air, contaminated food/water, or direct contact.
  • Methods to reduce spread:
    • Maintain good hygiene.
    • Eliminate vectors.
    • Vaccinate the population.
    • Quarantine infected individuals.

Additional Resources

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