You might better recognize three common kinds of pathogens: Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi. These three kinds of organisms are very different from each other. Here we can compare a human hair to the scale of fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
These three kinds of organisms are very different from each other. Here we can compare a human hair to the scale of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that are found almost everywhere.
Some fungi also produce toxins, called mycotoxins. The most common way for humans to be exposed to mycotoxins is by accidentally eating poisonous mushrooms. Viruses are the smallest common pathogen. They are so small in fact that many of them actually infect bacteria.
Some pathogens also produce toxins that can hurt you if they are released. So what exactly is a pathogen? You might better recognize three common kinds of pathogens: Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi. These three kinds of organisms are very different from each other.
Bacterial, fungus, and viral infections can be aggressive life-threatening infections or nonhostile relatively mild short-term infections. In response to all infectious agents, the body generates antibodies or generates resistance to infection agents. ...
Fungi survive by getting energy from other organisms. Often, they do this by feeding on the decaying remains of plants. Similarly, many fungal pathogens feed on the nonliving outer layers of our skin. It’s this feeding that leads to the itching and peeling associated with athlete’s foot or ringworm.
Fungi mainly feed on decaying organic matter... more (link is external) Infection: a change or group of changes that occur (s) in the body when it is attacked by harmful microorganisms. Microorganism: a living thing that is so small you need a microscope to see it.
Viruses are the smallest common pathogen. They are so small in fact that many of them actually infect bacteria. They are different from other pathogens because they cannot reproduce on their own. Viruses take over the cells they infect and use that cell’s own processes to create more copies of the virus.
Infections happen when you get a pathogen inside your body. Pathogens are parasitic, and survive by taking energy from the host they are inside. In this case, you would be the host. Some pathogens also produce toxins that can hurt you if they are released.
Toxin: a poisonous substance made by plants or animals. Snake and spider venom are types of toxin... more (link is external) Virus: a super tiny germ that you can only see with a microscope. Viruses need a host in order to reproduce... more (link is external)
They can be either useful or harmful to animals... more (link is external) Fungus: an organism that is part of the kingdom called fungi which includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.
Bacteria are considered simple cells because they don't have a nucleus. Image by NIAID. However, when a bacterium that causes a disease finds its way inside your body, you can get sick. Sometimes you get sick directly because of the bacteria, and sometimes it’s because of a bacterial toxin.
Fungi survive by getting energy from other organisms. Often, they do this by feeding on the decaying remains of plants. Similarly, many fungal pathogens feed on the nonliving outer layers of our skin. It’s this feeding that leads to the itching and peeling associated with athlete’s foot or ringworm.
Fungi mainly feed on decaying organic matter... more (link is external) Infection: a change or group of changes that occur (s) in the body when it is attacked by harmful microorganisms. Microorganism: a living thing that is so small you need a microscope to see it.
Viruses are the smallest common pathogen. They are so small in fact that many of them actually infect bacteria. They are different from other pathogens because they cannot reproduce on their own. Viruses take over the cells they infect and use that cell’s own processes to create more copies of the virus.
Infections happen when you get a pathogen inside your body. Pathogens are parasitic, and survive by taking energy from the host they are inside. In this case, you would be the host. Some pathogens also produce toxins that can hurt you if they are released.
Toxin: a poisonous substance made by plants or animals. Snake and spider venom are types of toxin... more (link is external) Virus: a super tiny germ that you can only see with a microscope. Viruses need a host in order to reproduce... more (link is external)
They can be either useful or harmful to animals... more (link is external) Fungus: an organism that is part of the kingdom called fungi which includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.
Bacteria are considered simple cells because they don't have a nucleus. Image by NIAID. However, when a bacterium that causes a disease finds its way inside your body, you can get sick. Sometimes you get sick directly because of the bacteria, and sometimes it’s because of a bacterial toxin.