Projekt Biologji

1.
Fighting disease-causing pathogens

When we say ‘pathogens’, we’re referring to the various
bacteria, germs, and viruses that you will unavoidably come
into contact with on a day-to-day basis. Indeed, the body is
constantly encountering such pathogens, and if you didn’t
have an immune system at all, you could be made very ill,
very quickly, by such pathogens. This is just one reason why
it is so important to do everything possible to support your
immune system, through steps like keeping well-hydrated
and prioritising sleep, so that your body can more easily
fend off whatever bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi may
come its way.
2. Recognising and neutralising harmful substances

from the environment
Not all the substances that we come into contact with in
the outside world are good for us. Some can be toxic, and a
healthy and efficient immune system will detect the
substances that pose a risk of harm, so that they can be
neutralised. The immune system does this by recognising
and responding to substances known as ‘antigens’. Antigens are often – although not always – proteins,
and various non-living substances, such as chemicals, drugs, and toxins, can be regarded as antigens.
The healthier your immune system is, the better the position it will be in to mount a response to such
antigens, which it will recognise and attempt to destroy.
3. Combating changes in the body that can lead to disease

A lot of people don’t realise that one of the key immune system functions is maintaining a healthy
dynamic of cell death and cell regeneration, so that the body as a whole remains in as strong health as
possible. Changes can take place in the body that lead to the development of disease, such as cells
malignantly proliferating and causing cancer. So, it is in your interests to do everything possible to keep
your immune system efficient and well-functioning, for many more reasons than just the opportunity to
not suffer from the common cold quite so often.
Whether, at any one time, your immune system is detecting and neutralising harmful substances,
tackling changes in the body that pose a risk of disease, or simply defending you against those
potentially perilous bacteria and viruses without you even knowing, there can be no doubt it is
constantly doing vital work.
What is a pathogen?
A pathogen is defined as an organism causing disease to its host, with the severity of the disease
symptoms referred to as virulence. Pathogens are taxonomically widely diverse and comprise viruses
and bacteria as well as unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. Every living organism is affected by
pathogens, including bacteria, which are targeted by specialized viruses called phages.
Pathogens are organisms that can cause disease. The different types of pathogens and the severity of
the diseases that they cause are very diverse.
The human body’s immune system acts as a defense against pathogens. The body can easily
fight off some pathogens, but others are potentially fatal.
There are five main types of pathogens:
Bacteria
Bacteria are microscopic pathogens that reproduce
rapidly after entering the body. They can release toxins
that damage tissues and cause illness. Doctors typically
prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, but
some bacteria are becoming resistant to these
drugs. Not all bacteria are pathogenic, though. In
the body, there are many types of harmless
bacteria, and some may even support essential
bodily functions.
Viruses
Smaller than bacteria, a virus invades a host cell. It then
replicates, producing hundreds and thousands of new viruses
that go on to infect more host cells. Viruses can pass from
person to person in various ways, including:
 via respiratory droplets that travel through the air
 through contact with the blood of a person with the
infection
 through contact with the bodily fluids of someone
with the infection
Fungi
There are thousands of species of fungi, some of
which cause disease in humans. Common fungal skin
conditions include athlete’s foot and ringworm. These
conditions are contagious and can spread through person-
to-person contact.
A study in Trends in Microbiology Trusted Source found
that fungal patho gens are evolving a capacity for memory.
They can use signals in the body to anticipate imminent threats to their survival, against which they can
then prepare themselves.
Protists
These single cell organisms cause disease in their host. They infect
other organisms to survive and reproduce.
Protist pathogens affect plants and food crops. Foods containing
protists can cause dysentery, which is an infection of the intestines
that causes diarrhea.
Protist pathogens can also be parasitic and live in other organisms,
such as mosquitoes. Protists cause malaria through mosquito bites.
Parasitic worms
Parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are large enough for
people to see with the naked eye, and they can live in many
areas of the body. Some worms include:
 Flatworms: These include tapeworms, which reside in
the intestines.
 Thorny-head worms: This type of worm lives in the
intestines.
 Roundworms: These worms can survive in the
gastrointestinal tract and lymphatic system.

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1.

Fighting disease-causing pathogens

2. Recognising and neutralising harmful substances

3. Combating changes in the body that can lead to disease

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