What Are Pathogens? About The Agents Of Diseases
PATHOGENS – In this topic, we will now know and discuss the meaning of infectious biological agents of diseases called pathogens.
According to Science Daily, a pathogen or also known as an infectious agent, is a type of biological agent which is the cause of diseases or illnesses to the host it infects.
It also means an agent that hinders the normal physiology of a multicellular animal or plant. They can also infect unicellular organisms in all biological kingdoms.
A pathogen also has many ways it can use to infect a host. Fortunately, our bodies have natural defenses against common infectious agents called the immune system and the aid of bacteria inside the human body’s normal flora.
Types
Here are some of the common types of pathogens, according to ThoughtCo:
- Prion
- a unique type that is rather more of a protein than an organism. They have the same amino acids like normal proteins but its shape is abnormally-folded. It usually affects the central nervous system.
- Bacteria
- The cause of several infactions ranging from asymptomatic to sudden and intense. The diseases it brought resulted in the production of toxins.
- Virus
- Unique type in the form of segments of DNA or RNA encased inside a capsid rather than cells. These infect cells and comandeers their function to produce more viruses.
- Fungi
- Eukaryotic organisms which includes yeast and molds. Diseases of this type in the human body is the result of a physical barrier breach or the compromise of the body’s immune system.
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