HSC Band 6 Biology Notes on Infectious Diseases – Module 7

Summary:

This HSC Band 6 Biology Notes on Infectious Diseases discuss various topics related to infectious and non-infectious diseases. It includes Depth Study Lesson 1 on pathogenic microbes in water and food, identifying microbes in food or water, and Depth Study Lesson 2 on an experiment comparing soap and alcohol hand sanitisers. The note also covers the transmission of pathogens, Louis Pasteur and pathogens, epidemics, artificial selection, immunity, animal response to pathogens, barriers to infection, adaptive immune system, B cells and antibodies, T cells, primary and secondary responses to infection, immunity in plants, prevention, treatment, and control of diseases, factors affecting the spread of disease, controlling the spread of disease, factors involved in monitoring and control, mosquito-borne diseases, and treating infectious diseases.

Excerpt:

HSC Band 6 Biology Notes on Infectious Diseases

Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
● A disease is any condition that impairs the normal functioning of an organism
● Different diseases vary significantly in their cause, severity and the symptoms they cause
● Health: The overall well-being of an individual. This includes physical, mental and social well being
● Diseases are grouped into two main categories:

1. Infectious Diseases
   Infectious disease: A disease that can be spread from one organism to another and is caused by a pathogen
   ● These have a causative agent called a pathogen
   ● Infectious diseases are usually contagious, meaning they can spread between individuals
   ● Examples include the common cold (caused by a virus), tetanus (caused by bacteria) and hair lice (caused by small parasitic insects)
   ● Pathogen: A causative agent of infectious diseases. For example, disease-causing microbes, viruses and parasites
   ● Host: An organism (eg. plants, animals) that is susceptible to a pathogen
   ● Infectious diseases are caused by a pathogen and can be transferred between hosts

Types of Pathogens

HSC Band 6 Biology Notes on Infectious Diseases

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Non-Infectious Diseases
● Non-infectious diseases: A disease that is not caused by pathogens. It is caused by genetics, the environment, and/or malfunctions within cells
● These are caused by genetic, environmental influences or cellular malfunction
● Examples include cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome (genetic diseases), sunburn (caused by excessive environmental sun exposure) and cancers (involve uncontrolled cell division/mitosis)
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