June 10 Disease In Humans Essay

Submitted By pdod
Words: 1075
Pages: 5
Open Document
BIOLOGY SYNOPTIC ESSAY – UNIT 5 – JUNE 10
THE CAUSES OF DISEASE IN HUMANS – 25 MARKS
Disease is a malfunction of the body which has a harmful effect on good health. Malfunction in the body can be caused by or affected by pathogens, lifestyle and genetics and can affect the mental, physical and social aspects of an individual.
Microorganisms such as pathogens, bacteria and viruses can cause disease in a number of ways. Pathogens can cause damage to a host’s tissues by preventing the tissues from functioning properly or by breaking down the membranes of the host cells. Once a pathogen colonises a host cell, it releases toxins or damages the host cell membrane. Viruses inhibit the synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins by the host cells. Some pathogens divide within the body in a few hours and some can take days.
A disease such as cholera is caused by Vibrio Cholerae bacterium which is transmitted to the body by the ingestion of contaminated water or food. The bacteria reach the small intestine and use their flagella to penetrate through the lining of the intestine wall. They produce a toxin which binds and opens chloride ion channels in the epithelial cells. This causes an influx of chloride ions into the lumen of the intestine. This lowers the water potential inside the lumen causing water to flow from the cells into the lumen. A water potential gradient is then established which causes water to flow from body tissues and the blood into the intestine by osmosis. This causes dehydration and severe diarrhoea.
Tuberculosis is also another infected disease that is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis. Pulmonary tuberculosis is spread by air droplets spread in the air by cough, sneeze, laugh or talk. It can be easily spread in a family, workplace or crowded areas. M.Bovis can infect cattle, which then produce infected milk, which humans ingest. Once the bacteria are in the body, they grow and divide within the upper regions of the lungs where oxygen supply is high. The immune system and white blood cells attack these bacteria, which causes an inflammatory response. The infection can be controlled but sometimes some bacteria remain in the lungs for many years until they attack again. They destroy the tissues in the upper region of the lungs. This causes scar tissue, which the body then tries to remove the damaged tissue by coughing with some blood.
Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial diseases. If an antibiotic dose is not completed over a given time period or even if is over-used, the bacteria strains can become antibiotic resistant. They become like this when mutations occur and this causes the bacteria to change shape or structure, therefore making it resistant to the antibiotic. The survivor bacteria now have the gene which is resistant to antibiotics. The resistance can then be transmitted to other cells by horizontal gene transmission, where plasmids containing the resistant gene are transferred from cell to cell by conjugation. This leads to antibiotics having no effect on the human body, and the bacteria can now colonise host cells and cause disease/infection.
Lifestyle and diet can also play a major role in developing a disease. A disease such as coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by unhealthy diets which are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The fat builds up in the lining of the artery wall (atheroma) and causes less blood/oxygen to flow to the heart, leading to tissues in the heart to stop working, which could cause a myocardial infarction. A diet with high levels of salts can cause high blood pressure in the body, which can lead to a blood clot forming in veins/arteries. The blood clot restricts blood flow and can also burst the artery/vein causing internal bleeding.
Emphysema is a lung disease caused by smoking. Individuals with emphysema have permanently stretched elastin protein which allows our lungs to stretch and spring back when we breathe in and out. A permanently
Show More

Related Documents: June 10 Disease In Humans Essay

Essay on Budget Proposal

equipment asset, the facility can project a timetable when the purchase of new equipment will be needed for inclusion in budget. • The cost of a Datascope central telemetry station and four telemetry portable packs are $29,000. The asset life is 10 years (Arges, 2005). The depreciation per year is $2,900 and per month is $241.67. • The cost of Accutorr Plus is $2283.75. The asset life is 5 years (Arges, 2005). The depreciation per year is $456.75 and per month is $38.06. • The cost of one hospital…

Words 2572 - Pages 11

What Is Mononucleosis?

sore throat and possibly worst complications to come. Adolescents typically suffer from feeling left out or feeling different, but having an illness that keeps them bedridden can cause more feelings of isolation. Commonly known as the “kissing disease,” Mononucleosis is a fairy common virus in the United States, most commonly scene in adolescent. Mononucleosis has been around for almost a century, but still commonly people are unfamiliar of the complications the virus may cause. Mononucleosis is…

Words 1448 - Pages 6

Essay about Genetically Modified Food

Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically Modified Organisms are designer foods that are commonly used for crop and human consumption using a made up genetic alter of DNA and genes. GMO’s have been commonly used within the food industry and have become a health issue in our world. When the DNA and genes are changed they are inserted to make the product grow quicker or bigger not using the natural cycle of growth. About 60% of foods prepacked in a normal grocery store contain genetically modified…

Words 521 - Pages 3

Hepatitis: Vaccination and Organic Antioxidant Blend Essay

Hepatitis –A Hepatitis-A is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by a virus. Hepatitis is one of the most highly publicized viral diseases today. Hepatitis-A is very contagious viral disease. Hepatitis-A is curable and can be prevented. Hepatitis-A is transmitted through human feces. Even though Hepatitis-A has many symptoms, most of the time a person doesn’t even know that they have been affected. The symptoms include: Feeling tired, muscle soreness, upset stomach, fever, loss of appetite…

Words 522 - Pages 3

Patient Education Plan Essay

someone near her at all times and demanding). The patient’s medical history consists of kidney stones, urinary tract infection (UTI), high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes mellitus (Type 1), acid reflux, allergic rhinitis, addison’s disease, osteoporosis, osteopenia, anxiety, and depression. She has a surgical history of: cholecystectomy, colonoscopy, liver biopsy, and hysterectomy. After asking the patient how she learns best, she states “I learn better with a hard copy and someone…

Words 1546 - Pages 7

Climate Change and Health Effects Essay

Diseases of the heart (I00-I09,I11,I13,I20-I52) 2. Diseases of the vascular system (I10,I12,I60-I78,I80-I99) 3. Malignant neoplasms 4. Accidents (V01-Y89) 5. Pneumonia (J12-J18) 6. Tuberculosis, all forms (A15-A19, B90) 7. Ill-defined and unknown causes of mortality (R95R99) 8. Chronic lower respiratory diseases (J40-J47) 9. Diabetes mellitus (E10-E14) 10.Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P99) * percent…

Words 1974 - Pages 8

Aids: Immune System and Person`s Hiv Statue Essay

serious disease called AIDS. Unfortunately, the disease has led to many deaths worldwide and yet it still remains untreatable. Many public health departments are now taking the lead in publicizing education about AIDS. Public awareness and prevention programs are possible solutions to the spread of AIDS. Acquired immune-deficiency syndrome popularly known by its abbreviation. AIDS is a fatal disease as it attacks and destroys the immune system of the body. It is caused by a virus. Human immune deficiency…

Words 965 - Pages 4

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis and Mayo Clinic Staff Essay

Ashley Cardiel June 18,2013 Bio 128.05 Dr. Pillai Introduction Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which bones in the human body tend to have low bone density and reduced quality, which causes them to be very fragile and they are more likely to fracture. It is most commonly found in the spine, wrist, and hip. Osteoporosis is also known as the “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without any symptoms. Patients with the bone disease often times do not know they have the disease until their…

Words 580 - Pages 3

Stem Cell Research With Human Embryos Essay

Stem Cell Research With Human Embryos Your Name Aultman College ENG 105 Hybrid, College Composition I 10520 Ms. Lyn Sabino Date Stem Cell Research With Human Embryos Abstract In vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles often include ovarian stimulation to produce multiple mature oocytes and, therefore, multiple embryos for transfer, although often only 1 to 2 are used, but never more than 4. Cryopreservation can increase a patients chance to have other IVF procedures in the future. However, patients…

Words 1952 - Pages 8

Reserch: Stem Cells Essay

truly understand what underlies the argument, titled "Stem Cell Research" an article by Marcia Clemmitt gives the reader defying background information and many examples of both pros and cons on the controversy. "Stem cells are very basic cells in humans and animals that when needed can renew themselves indefinitely and repeatedly produce at least one kind of highly specialized cell, such s a muscle, skin, blood, brain, or intestinal cell. There are two kinds of stem cells -embryonic and adult-.…

Words 661 - Pages 3