DISEASE & MAN

Biology
11CB

Michael-Shane Saddler
Naheala Williams
Adrian Bartley
| Table Of Content

| Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3
| Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................... 4
| Disease | ......................................................................................................................................... 5
| Disease – Pathogens | ...................................................................................................................... 8
| Vectors | ....................................................................................................................................... 11
| Vectors – Mosquitoes|................................................................................................................... 13
| Immunity | .................................................................................................................................... 16
| Reference/Bibliography .................................................................................................................. 17

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| Introduction

This project ventures into three main topics in biology; ‘Disease’, ‘Vectors’ and ‘Immunity’. The
definition and forms of each will be highlighted. In addition, recommendation on how to
control/prevent problems that will be looked at in the disease and vector sections.

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| Acknowledgement

This project wouldn't be possible without the following. Firstly, without God, we wouldn’t be able
to pull all-nighters the project and be able to obtain the correct information with skills. Secondly,
we want to thank our teacher and parents for explaining the majority of the sections that we didn’t
quite grasp. In addition, we also want to thank our parents for providing financial assistance where
needed.

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 | Disease |

In biology disease can simply be defined as a disease can be defined as a disorder of structure or
function of an organism that is not a direct result of physical injury.
There are 4 types of diseases:
− Pathogenic Disease
− Deficiency Disease
− Hereditary Disease
− Physiological Disease

Pathogenic Diseases
Pathogenic diseases are those that are in humans which are caused by infectious agents such as
pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites and can have significant impact on
human health.

Examples of this disease include, measles, meningitis, chicken pox and genital herpes

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Deficiency Diseases

Deficiency disease is a condition produced by dietary or metabolic deficiency. The term includes
all diseases caused by an insufficient supply of essential nutrients, i.e., protein (or amino acids),
vitamins, and minerals. It also includes an inadequacy of calories.

Examples of this disease include Scurvy, Rickets and beriberi.

Hereditary Diseases

Hereditary diseases, also known as inherited diseases or genetic disorders, are defined and
categorized as being a set of genetic diseases that are caused by changes in one's genetic material
(DNA). These diseases are then transmitted from generation to generation, or in oth er words, they
are inherited from parents to their children.

Examples of this disease include Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell.

Physiological Diseases

Physiological diseases are diseases caused by body malfunctions where abnormal cells divide in an
uncontrolled way, causing a potentially cancerous mass or growth.

Examples of this disease include Asthma, Diabetes and Glaucoma.

There are possibles ways to treat and control diseases.

Pathogenic diseases can be possible controlled by using vaccines and medicines more
specifically antibiotics and antivirals.

To prevent or reduce the rate of deficiency disease one can start to practice eating a
balanced diet. Eating simple, wholesome food such as ground nuts, soybeans, pulses, etc.
Prolonged cooking and undercooked food lose their nutritional value. Keeping cut
vegetables and fruits for a longer period also destroys their nutritional value. Avoiding this
can prevent deficiency diseases. Fermentation and sprouting retain and increase the
nutritional value of food.

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 The treatment for genetic diseases/hereditary diseases depends on the kind and severity of
the disorder. While one cannot reverse them, various techniques help manage the
condition better. These include medications, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, organ
transplants, radiation therapies, and surgery.

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 | Disease – Pathogens |

Pathogens can be separated into 5 main groups:

− Viruses - they are small, have DNA or RNA genomes, and are obligate intracellular
parasites.
− Bacteria - unicellular, prokaryotic, microscopic, lacking a nucleus, and having a plasma
membrane.
− Fungi - are eukaryotic, non-vascular, non-motile and heterotrophic organisms. Fungi lack
chlorophyll and hence cannot perform photosynthesis. The nuclei of the fungi are very
small. Some fungi are parasitic and can infect the host.
− Protozoans - are single-celled organisms. They are either free-living or parasites. There are
more than 6500 species of protozoans. They lack cell wall. They are generally
heterotrophic.
− Worms - have well-developed organ systems and most are active feeders. The body is either
flattened and covered with plasma membrane (flatworms) or cylindrical and covered with
cuticle (roundworms).

Pathogens causes diseases in both animals and plants, below are some of many.

Diseases pathogens cause in humans:

1. Viruses - AIDS & Genital herpes

2. Bacteria - Tuberculosis & Lyme Disease
3. Fungi - Athletes’ Foot & Ringworm
4. Protozoa - Malaria & Sleeping Sickness
5. Worm - Anemia & Dysentery

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Diseases pathogens cause in plants:

1. Viruses - Mosaic Disease & Tobacco Ring Spots

2. Bacteria - Bacterial Canker & Black Rot
3. Fungi - Rhizoctonia Rots & Sclerotinia Rots
4. Protozoa - Phloem Necrosis & Sudden Wilt of Oil Palm
5. Worm - Leaf Drying & Premature Leaf Senescence

The disease in both plants and animals can cause social, environmental and economic
implications.

Social Implications:

1) Loss of human lives due to diseases in animals and plants.

2) Diseases in animals can lead to a shortage of food, leading to higher prices and
food insecurity.
3) Diseases in plants can lead to a shortage of crops, causing an increase in food prices
and affecting the livelihoods of farmers and communities dependent on
agriculture.
4) The spread of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans can cause public health
crises and pandemics.
5) Lack of disease control in animals and plants can have a negative impact on
tourism and affect the economies of affected regions.

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Environmental Implications:

1) Spread of disease in animals and plants can lead to the loss of biodiversity and reduced
ecological resilience.
2) Overuse of pesticides and other chemicals used to control plant and animal diseases can
harm the environment by polluting water sources and reducing soil quality.
3) The introduction of non-native species for disease control purposes can lead to negative
impacts on the environment by disrupting ecosystems and spreading diseases to other
plants and animals.

Economic Implications:

1) Farmers and other producers may lose their crops or livestock, leading to financial losses
and a decrease in income.
2) The cost of disease control measures, such as vaccines or pesticides, can be expensive and
negatively impact the profitability of agricultural practices.
3) Disease outbreaks can lead to trade restrictions, which can affect international trade and
lead to economic losses in affected countries.
4) Animal diseases can cause supply chain disruptions, leading to higher prices of products
and services dependent on animal products.

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 | Vectors |

A vector, as related to molecular biology, is a DNA molecule (often plasmid or virus) that is used as
a vehicle to carry a particular DNA segment into a host cell as part of a cloning or recombinant
DNA technique. The vector typically assists in replicating and/or expressing the inserted DNA
sequence inside the host cell.

Vectors are organisms that can transmit infectious diseases from one host to another. They can be
biotic, such as mosquitoes or ticks, or abiotic, such as contaminated water or soil. Vectors play a
crucial role in the spread of pathogenic diseases by transporting the pathogens from the carrier or
reservoir to a susceptible host.

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Vectors can transmit pathogens in several ways, including;

1. Bite or sting transmission: When a vector bites or stings a host, it injects saliva that
contains the pathogen. This can introduce the pathogen into the host's bloodstream or
tissue.
2. Fecal transmission: Some vectors, such as flies, can transmit pathogens through their feces.
When a vector lands on food or a surface, it can deposit feces containing the pathogen. If a
person ingests contaminated food or touches the contaminated surface, they can become
infected.
3. Contact transmission: Some vectors, such as fleas, can spread pathogens through physical
contact. When a flea bites an infected host, it can pick up the pathogen and carry it to the
next host it bites.

Vectors can also facilitate the spread of pathogens by traveling long distances and transmitting the
disease to new regions and populations. For example, mosquitoes can transport malaria from
endemic regions to non-endemic regions through international travel or migration.

In summary, vectors facilitate the spread of pathogenic diseases by transporting pathogens from
one host to another and potentially introducing the pathogen into new regions and populations.

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 | Vectors – Mosquitoes|

Mosquitoes are notorious vectors in the transmission of pathogenic diseases. They play a critical
role in the life cycle of various disease-causing pathogens, such as malaria, dengue, and yellow
fever. Understanding their role as vectors is essential for effectively controlling and preventing
these diseases.

Malaria:

Mosquitoes of the Anopheles genus is responsible for transmitting the Plasmodium parasite, which
causes malaria. When an infected mosquito bites a human, it injects the sporozoites (the infective
form of the parasite) into the bloodstream. These sporozoites travel to the liver, where they
multiply and mature into merozoites. Merozoites then invade red blood cells, causing them to
rupture and release more merozoites, leading to the progression of malaria symptoms.

→ Dengue:

Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, are known vectors for the dengue virus. When a
female mosquito feeds on a dengue-infected individual, the virus enters its body and replicates
within specific tissues. After an incubation period, the mosquito can transmit the virus for the
remainder of its life through its saliva. When it bites another person, the dengue virus is
introduced into their bloodstream, causing symptoms that range from mild dengue fever to severe
dengue hemorrhagic fever.

→ Yellow fever:

Similar to dengue, yellow fever is also transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. When these
mosquitoes feed on a human or a non-human primate infected with the yellow fever virus, they
become infected and can spread the virus to healthy individuals through subsequent bites. Yellow
fever can manifest as a mild illness or progress into a severe and potentially fatal condition,
resulting in symptoms such as jaundice, fever, and organ failure.

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In all three diseases, mosquitoes act as a bridge, facilitating the transmission of pathogens from
one host (infected human or animal) to another host. They are not affected by the pathogens
themselves and serve as carriers, allowing the pathogens to propagate effectively in their bodies
before transmitting them to new hosts through subsequent blood meals.

The role of mosquitoes as vectors highlights the importance of controlling mosquito populations
to prevent the transmission of these diseases. Measures such as eliminating breeding grounds,
using insecticides, and utilizing mosquito nets can help reduce the mosquito population and
decrease the prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases. Additionally, the development of vaccines and
antiviral treatments remains crucial in combatting these diseases and minimizing their impact on
human health.

LIFE CYCLE OF AN ANOPHELES MOSQUITO

Anopheles mosquitos and mosquitos in general have 4 stages of life; Egg → Larvae →Pupa
→Adult

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There are methods to control each stage:

→ Egg Stage: Adult mosquitos look for settled water to lay their eggs which take 48 hours
(about 2 days) to hatch. To control this stage, it is recommended to eliminate standing
water from one's property and treat pool water or cover the water reservoirs in the yard.
→ Larval Stage: When eggs hatch, they release larvae. The mosquitoes get bigger in this stage
and require oxygen, so they go to the top of the water to access oxygen from the
atmosphere or by attaching to plants in the water. By removing water, cleaning dead plants
from water, and misting the area with a natural insecticide this stage can be controlled.
→ Pupa Stage: This stage is where mosquitoes go through physical stages. In this stage
mosquitoes don’t eat, which makes them hard to kill with insecticide. By removing water,
it is possible to get rid of them. Otherwise, the pupa will grow into adult mosquitoes.
→ Adult Stage: After the pupa stage mosquitoes emerge from the water to mate and feed on
blood. It is recommended to mist the yard with a non-toxic, plant-based spray that kills
adult mosquitoes, during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

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 | Immunity |

Immunity refers to the ability the ability gain or has to defend itself from diseases or diseases
causing organisms. Immunity can also be defined as the state of being insusceptible or resistant to
a noxious agent or process, especially a pathogen or infectious disease.

Immunity can either be naturally acquired or artificially acquired:

1. Natural Immunity: This occurs when the body is exposed to something harmful, and the
immune system responds by making antibodies. Natural immunity is acquired from
exposure to the disease organism through infection with the actual disease
2. Artificial Immunity: also known as vaccinations or vaccine-induced immunity occurs
when the body is given immunity to a disease by intentional exposure to small quantities of
it. Artificial immunity is acquired through the introduction of a killed or weakened form
of the disease organism through vaccination.

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| Reference/Bibliography

Chrisleo. (2022, May 11). Life cycle of mosquitoes. MosquitoNix South Florida.
https://mosquitonixsouthflorida.com/2019/04/30/life-cycle-mosquitoes/
Immunity (medical). (2023, September 3). In Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunity_(medical)
Starkman, E. (2022). What Is Natural Immunity? WebMD.
https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/natural-immunity-overview
National Human Genome Research Institute. (2019). Vector. Genome.gov.
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Vector
11.12C: Artificial Immunity. (2018, June 23). Biology LibreTexts.
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Microbiology_(Boundless)/11%3A_I
mmunology/11.12%3A_Classifying_Immunities/11.12C%3A_Artificial_Immunity#:~:tex
t=Artificial%20immunity%20is%20a%20mean
CDC. (2021, November 2). Types of Immunity to a Disease | CDC. Www.cdc.gov.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/immunity-
types.htm#:~:text=Natural%20immunity%20is%20acquired%20from

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