Pathogen and Immune System

Notes
 What is a pathogen?

▪ Pathogen- A biological infectious

agent that causes diseases.
▪ Path- “Pain”
▪ -gen- “Producer of”

● Three main pathogens:

▪ Bacteria
▪ Viruses
▪ Fungi
 Chart Notes
Bacteria Viruses Fungi

Yes- NO- Only made up Yes- Can be

Unicellular, of proteins and unicellular or
contains all DNA/RNA. Does multicellular.
Living/Non-Li
cell parts. not contain any Contains all cell
ving?
(PROKARYOTES) other cell parts.
parts. (EUKARYOTES,Like
us!)
 Chart Notes
Bacteria Viruses Fungi

Structure
 Chart Notes
Bacteria Viruses Fungi
Cell Wall: All bacteria Envelope: Some Chitin: A
have this. Made of viruses have these, it polysaccharide
peptidoglycan, which is is an extra layer of that makes up the
made up of carbohydrates. protection around the cell walls of
virus. It is made from fungi. Makes them
Structures Endospore: SOME bacteria the host cell’s own more difficult to
have this, it contains DNA lipid membrane, so the fight off, and
that make
and ribosomes. Makes it so immune system doesn’t current studies
these notice a pathogen are looking into
bacteria are virtually
things
indestructible, and survive right away (like the relationship
harder to extreme conditions. (Ex. camouflage). The worst between chitin in
kill. Botulism) viruses have these, fungal spores and
like influenza. asthma.
Capsule: An extra layer
of polysaccharide outside
of bacterium. Harder to
kill!
 Chart Notes
Bacteria Viruses Fungi
Gram Positive: Lytic Cycle: Virus Example:
Turns purple with a inserts DNA into host Infectious Fungi use
gram stain, cell walls cell, which then makes our cells as food
contains thick cell more and more viruses sources or our
wall. until the cell bursts, bodies as
releasing more viruses. environments to grow
in. Valley Fever is
Infection Gram Negative:
caused by a fungus
Stuff Appears red or pink, Lysogenic Cycle: that uses our lungs
can’t be stained, THIN Virus DNA becomes a as a place to live
cell wall. ninja, integrating into in and as a supply
host DNA and copied of nutrients. Fluid
along with cells DNA. builds up in the
Why?! Gram positive Doesn’t cause harm
bacteria are easily lungs as our bodies
until lytic. try to fight it off.
killed by antibiotics.
 Chart Notes
Bacteria Viruses Fungi
Antibiotics: Chemical Vaccines: A preparation Antifungals:
medicines that block the growth of killed or weakened Medicine that
and reproduction of bacteria. pathogens (usually kills fungal
These are usually formed from viruses)that are injected infections. Many
fungi (like penicillin, into the body. Our bodies
amoxicillin). fungicides can be
then learn to recognize
and destroy the pathogen
harmful to
Antibiotic Resistance: When without getting the humans, since
bacteria get used to certain disease. You are then both fungi and
Treatments types of antibiotics. Overuse immune from that disease. humans are
of antibiotics or taking them eukaryotes. Most
when you don’t need them helps Antivirals: Very people do not get
contribute to resistance. MAKE difficult to make, since fungal infections
SURE YOU TAKE ALL THE PILLS some viruses change very
WHEN YOU ARE TAKING
unless their
fast. Antiviral medicine
ANTIBIOTICS! Prevent immune system is
can be made for viruses
“superbugs”! that do not yet have a weakened (or are
vaccine. taking
antibiotics!)
 The Human Immune System

Innate(Natural) Adaptive(Acquired)
Immunity Immunity

Nonspecific Specific Responses

Responses
3rd Line
1st Line 2nd Line of Defense
of Defense of Defense
1. Specialized white
1. Skin 1. Inflammation blood cells from
2. Mucous 2. Antibody the lymphatic
3. Secretions complement system.
4. Normal flora 3. Phagocytic 2. Antibodies/
cells. antigens
 The Human Immune System
Innate-means you are born with it!
Innate(Natural)
Immunity Maybe shes born with it, maybe its natural
immunity!

Non-specific means it isn’t going to target or

Nonspecific destroy anything in particular. It doesn't
Responses recognize bacteria or viruses.

1st Line The first line of defense is a barrier. Its

designed to keep things from getting in your body
of Defense in the first place!

1. Skin Secretions- Are usually sticky to trap pathogens before

2. Mucous they can enter your body. Ear wax, boogers, sweat
3. Secretions proteins, digestive enzymes in saliva, oils on your skin.
Other secretions like tears wash away pathogens.
4. Normal flora
Normal flora- All the bacteria and fungi that already live
in/on the surface of your body. Their populations keep
pathogens in check because those pathogens don’t have room
to grow!
 The Human Immune System

Innate(Natural)
The second line of defense is localized, meaning
Immunity that it happens at the site of cuts or infections.
Now your body is trying to fight off pathogens that
are now in your body.
Nonspecific
Inflammation- This is when tissues around the injury
Responses or infection site swell up with fluid to keep the
infection contained, to heat up to kill pathogens,
2nd Line and increases blood supply to carry over more white
blood cells to the area. Fevers are a type of
of Defense inflammation that happen when you get really sick.

Complement- Antibodies are proteins. When antibodies in

1. Inflammation your tissues and in your bloodstream come in contact with
2. Antibody a pathogen, the antibody sticks to it. This is called a
complement. The antibody attached to the pathogen signals
complement the phagocytic cells to come over and eat up the
3. Phagocytic complement.
cells.
Phagocytic Cells- “Eater” cells. They are types of white
blood cells that eat up any pathogens that have entered
the body.They like to patrol areas in your skin and
digestive system.
 The Human Immune System
Adaptive or acquired immunity means that your
immune system “learns” what pathogens are, and Adaptive(Acquired)
how to recognize them for the future to prevent
illnesses from happening again. Immunity
Specific- Means that the cells in this immune system
are “smart” and can target and destroy certain Specific Responses
pathogens like ninjas.
3rd Line
The third line of defense “remembers” your illnesses so you don’t
get the same illness over again. They are smart cells that of Defense
remember pathogens. This is what vaccines work with.

● You have specialized white blood cells that recognize, 1. Specialized white
remember, and then carry out attacks on pathogens based blood cells from
on the “memory” of the other white blood cells. They
are in your lymphatic system which is helpful because the lymphatic
they can travel anywhere in your body very quickly. system.
● It does take a little while for your cells to recognize
and plan out an attack, thats why you still get sick 2. Antibodies/
and then get better once the 3rd line of defense kicks antigens
in.
● These special cells use antibodies to target those
specific pathogens for assassination, and they will
also always remember how to make them!