Effect of Pathogens on Our Body
Diseases are caused by the pathogens in our bodies. The pathogens can take entry into our body in various modes and replicate. They also disturb the normal activities of the body which may lead to some undesirable changes and ultimately damage the organs in reference to their functions.
Adaptations of Pathogens in Our Body
Pathogens have to adapt in the host body for their survival e.g. if a pathogen takes entry in our gut, it must go to the way for survival against low pH and some digestive enzymes.
Some Examples of the Pathogens in Our Body
Following are the different examples of Diseases by various Pathogens.
Examples of Bacterial Diseases
Name of the Pathogen | Diseases Caused | Affected Body Part | Mode of Entry or Transmission | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Prevention and Control |
Salmonella typhi |
Typhoid fever |
Small intestine |
Contaminated food and water |
high fever (39° to 40°C), weakness, stomach pain, constipation, headache, and loss of appetite |
Widal test |
Awareness, hygienic surroundings |
Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza |
pneumonia |
alveoli (air-filled sacs) of the lungs which possess grapes-like structures |
fever, chills, cough and headache, severe problems in respiration |
by inhaling droplets released by an infected or unhealthy person or by sharing personal belongings. |
|
Isolation, hygienic surroundings |
Some other diseases caused by bacteria are dysentery, plague, diphtheria, etc.
Example of a Viral Disease
Name of the Pathogen | Disease Caused | Affected Body Part | Mode of Entry or Transmission | Symptoms |
Rhinoviruses |
Common cold |
Nose and respiratory pathway |
By inhaling droplets released by an infected or unhealthy person or by sharing personal belongings |
Nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat, wheezing, cough, headache, tiredness, etc. |
Example of Diseases Caused by Protozoans
Name of the Pathogen | Diseases Caused | Affected Body Part | Mode of Entry or Transmission | Symptoms |
Plasmodium (Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malaria and Plasmodium falciparum) |
Malaria |
Red blood cells and liver |
Bite by an infected female mosquito, i.e. anopheles mosquito |
High chills, vomiting, loose motions |
Entamoeba histolytic |
Amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery) |
Large intestine |
|
Constipation, cramps, abdominal pain, stool with mucus and blood clots |
Note- Plasmodium falciparum is the most fatal species of plasmodium.
NCERT Notes on Class 12 Biology Chapter 7 – Human Health and Disease
NCERT Chapter 7 of Class 12 Notes on Human Health and Disease: According to the World Health Organisation, health can be defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity. Good health has many benefits like it helps to keep us happy. Our skin, teeth, and eyes remain healthy, support muscles, enhance immunity, strengthen bones, and lower the risk of heart ailments, diabetes, and some cancers. It also supports healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding among women.
NCERT Notes on Chapter 7 Human Health and Disease: On the other hand, disease is any undesirable change in our body that may keep us disturbed whether it is physical, mental, or social. Our body can undergo a number of changes like any of the organs can stop functioning in a proper way which can also be associated with some other signs and symptoms. In plants and animals, the disease can also be occurred by pathogens, i.e. disease-causing organisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and certain types of invertebrates like tapeworms, wuchereria. Unhygienic surroundings, nutritional deficiencies, and unhealthy lifestyles also cause diseases.
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