Section B: Life Processes and Diseases.

#10-Disease
NB. The page numbers that follow are for the text book, Biology for CSEC 2nd Edition

Health as defined by the World Health Organization is a complete physical, mental and social well-being of an
individual and not just the absence of a disease.

10.1
Define disease.
A condition which impairs the normal functioning of cells, tissues organs and leads to the health of the
organisms being damaged.
Diseases are grouped according to their causes. (pg.242-243)

1. Pathogenic disease- cause by a pathogen (identify different pathogens and examples of some diseases
cause by them). Describe how the pathogens affect the human body.

2. Deficiency diseases- cause by the lack or shortage of certain nutrients in the diet (give examples).

3. Hereditary diseases- cause by defective/faulty genes passed from parent to children (give examples).

4. Physiological diseases- cause by malfunctioning of a body organ or changing of a cell structure over time
which causes them to not function properly (give examples).

Define the terms communicable and non-communicable diseases and classify the different groups above
as communicable and non- communicable.

10.2

Vectors pg 249

A vector is an organism that transmits a disease causing organism from one person to another. It carries the
pathogen either inside or outside its body.

List some examples of common vectors and diseases associated with them.

Draw the life cycle of the mosquito in your note books. See link Life cycle of a mosquito

10.4
Discuss what measures of control can be taken to control the mosquito at the different stages of its life
cycle.

10.3

(pg.249)
Discuss how the mosquito transmits the protozoan (Plasmodium) that causes malaria.
See video Malaria parasite lifecycle in humans, Malaria parasite life cycle in mosquito

HW to be completed in the cw/hw book

For the following diseases (dengue, yellow fever, malaria) find the:
 Pathogen that causes the diseases
 Symptoms of the disease (how it affects the body)
 How to treat the disease

10.5

Treatment and Control of the different groups of diseases (pg. 244-245)

Pathogenic diseases

Treatment
Involves using appropriate drugs/medicines to eliminate the pathogen and also to relieve the symptoms.

Control
This involves preventing the spread of the diseases by killing the vectors, destroying their breeding places,
vaccinations, education campaigns, quarantines

List 5 different ways in which pathogenic diseases can be transmitted. (pg.249)

Deficiency diseases

Treatment
Include the food with the essential nutrient that is lacking in the diet
Taking appropriate supplements

Prevention
Eating balanced diet

Physiological diseases

Treatment
This involves medications, change in diet, change in lifestyle, exercise

Control
Educational ventures

Hereditary diseases

Treatment
Gene therapy, relieve the symptoms of the disease, genetic counselling

Prevention
Do not have kids
Diabetes mellitus-

Definition- a condition where the body in unable to regulate/ control the amount of glucose in the blood due to
insufficient insulin.

Type 1- Insulin dependent

-caused by the destruction of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas {islet of Langerhans (beta cells)}.
Treatment administration of insulin via injection

Type 2- non insulin dependent

Body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas produces too little insulin.
Treatment- administer drugs that will stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin

Explain how diet and exercise can be used to control diabetes.

Review the feedback mechanism for glucose.

Hypertension

Definition- a condition where the blood pressure remains above normal levels (What is considered as
normal blood pressure?) due to the hardening of the arteries. This can be cause by fat deposited in the
arteries.
- Factors that contribute to high blood pressure are high salt intake, high fat intake, lack of exercise,
stress, smoking

10.6

Social and economic implications of diseases in plants and animals (pg. 251-253)

The following points should be developed with examples.

1. A disease can mean death or paralysis which can lead to dependency on other family members.
2. Loss of job.
3. Psychological effect on a person if that person was the bread winner in the family.
4. Less agricultural produce available less food for export.
5. Cost incurred putting in place measures to prevent diseases.
6. Cost incurred putting in measures to deal with infected individuals.
Diseases that affect plants

Copy and complete the table

Name of disease Causative agent Symptoms
Potato blight
Smut
Ring spot
Pepper mottle
Wilt