In this blog post, we are looking at the topic of pathogens in I/GCSE Biology! Let's get started! 🤣

In I/GCSE Biology exam, you should remember the reasons why infection occurs!

Reasons why infection occurs

• Deadly infectious diseases spread in hospitals because hygiene rules are broken e.g. don’t wash hands after treating a patient
• Infections are carried by dust mites – improving ward cleanliness reduces spread of infections

It's better to know who Ignaz Semmelweiss is in I/GCSE Biology exam too!

Microorganisms 🦠 – tiny living things only seen through a microscope

• Microorganisms are EVERYWHERE (food, inside me)
• One type of pathogen – microorganisms ➡️ cause illness / disease

For example:

• Women died of ‘childbed fever’ after giving birth
• Doctors working on dead bodies didn’t wash hands when delivering a baby
• Less women died when chlorinated hand soap was used before delivering birth

Do you remember how discover pathogens in your I/GCSE Biology textbook?

1. Louis Pasteur – proved germs were in the air and they carried infection and disease
2. Joseph Lister – developed carbolic soap (used on medical instruments, dressing, surgeons) – more of his patients stayed healthy

• Antiseptics – used to clean wounds or get rid of sores (e.g. nappy rash)
• Disinfectants – chemicals to clean work surfaces /other places
• Hygiene – keeping things clean to reduce risk of disease
• Pathogens stick to dirt / grease and multiply

In I/GCSE Biology, make sure you know 2 main types of germs !!!!!

Two main types of germs:

1. Bacteria– cause cholera, boils, MRSA, typhoid, tuberculosis (TB)
2. Virus – cause warts, herpes, polio, flu, mumps, measles, and smallpox

• Bacteria and Viruses spread from person to person
• Become infected by air you breath, food/drinks consumed, touching people
• Less chance of being infected if environment is clean

References:

1. "Infection", https://www.timeshighereducation.com/sites/default/files/styles/article785xauto/public/qu-infectious-diseases-shutterstock_286201517_0.jpg?itok=8VBi6_a-
2. "Microorganisms", https://resize.indiatvnews.com/en/resize/newbucket/715_-/2020/09/microorganisms-1601278189.jpg
3. "Antiseptics and disinfectants", https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EW88QQfUMAEAMzv.jpg
4. "Bacteria and viruse", https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6vsTakU0AAebf0.jpg

And we're done with this topic! Well Done!

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Drafted by Alyssa (Biology)