526 An Introduction to Microbiology and Human Disease
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- Define resident flora, and explain its importance.
(p. 500) - State the term described by each statement:
(pp. 501–504, 508)
a. An infection in which the person shows no
symptoms
b. Bacteria that are inhibited by oxygen
c. A disease that lasts a certain length of time and
is followed by recovery
d. A disease that is usually present in a given pop-
ulation
e. The presence of bacteria in the blood
f. An infection made possible by a primary infec-
tion that lowers host resistance
g. A disease of animals that may be acquired by
people
h. Bacteria that are spherical in shape - Name these parts of bacterial cell: (pp. 508–509)
a. Inhibits phagocytosis by white blood cells
b. Provides motility
c. The basis for the gram reaction or Gram stain
d. A form resistant to heat and drying
e. Chemicals produced that are poisonous to host
cells
4. Explain what is meant by a nosocomial infection,
and describe the two general kinds with respect to
sources of the pathogen. (p. 502)
5. Name five potential portals of entry for
pathogens. (p. 503)
6. Name five potential portals of exit for pathogens.
(p. 504)
7. Explain the difference between a communicable
disease and a contagious disease. (p. 504)
8. Explain the difference between pasteurization and
sterilization. (p. 505)
9. Describe the structure of a virus, and explain how
viruses cause disease. (p. 511) - Describe the differences between yeasts and
molds. (p. 512) - Describe the difference between superficial and
systemic mycoses. (p. 512) - Name some diseases that are spread by vectors,
and name the vector for each. (p. 524)
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT
- Smallpox has been eradicated (in the wild). Polio
is the next target of world health officials,
then measles. What characteristics must a dis-
ease or its pathogen have that would allow us even
to consider trying to eradicate it? Try to think
of five. - To understand the epidemiology of a disease, we
must know several things about the disease or its
agent (pathogen). Again, try to think of five. - Many working mothers depend on daycare centers
to care for their children. What pathogens
are likely to flourish in a daycare center if proper
precautions are not taken? There are two general
kinds. Besides being sure that all children have
the proper vaccinations, what do you think is
the most important proper precaution (think:
lunchtime)?- We’re still at the daycare center. Name three dis-
eases that all 2-year-olds should have been vacci-
nated against. There may be a 6-month-old child
in the group who has not yet received certain vac-
cinations, yet this child may be protected by what
we call “herd immunity.” Describe what is meant
by herd immunity. - Explain why leptospirosis may be misdiagnosed as
hepatitis (compare the descriptions in the tables of
pathogens). Explain the consequences for the
patient (notice what kind of pathogen causes each).
What does this suggest to us about rare diseases, or
the study of rare diseases?