Pathogenic Organisms

What does pathogen mean?

Etymology Let’s break down the word into its roots patho – greek word pathos meaning suffering or disease gen – greek word genes meaning to be born or produced

Pathogen a Definition A disease causing microorganism

What are some types of pathogen? Think, pair, share -

Bacteria Single celled organisms that lack a nucleus Because they have no nucleus we call them prokaryotes Classified as kingdoms Eubacteria and Archaebacteria Can cause many diseases including salmonella, pneumonia, tetanus, and plague

Anthrax Bacteria Bacillus anthracis Source: Source: CDC with white blood cells

Streptococcus pyogenes “flesh eating bacteria”

Fungi Multicellular with a nucleus, heterotrophs (consume other organisms for food) with cell walls containing chitin This kingdom includes mushrooms, molds, mildew, and yeas Diseases such as athletes foot, pneumonia, or meningitis

Aspergillus fumigatus Source: Chiba Univ., Japan

Protozoans Single celled organisms with a nucleus – may be photosynthetic or heterotrophic Classified as the kingdom Protista Can cause diseases such as giardiasis and cryptosporidium

Giardia lamblia

Virus Very small particle of genetic material and proteins reproduces inside the cells of a host organism 100 times smaller than bacteria Cause diseases such as ebola, flu, mumps, measles, and rabies

Viruses Papillomavirus Influenza Hepatitis B