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Micro CH 14
Host-Microbe Relationship & Disease Processes
22
Biology
Undergraduate 2
04/14/2011

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Term
pathogen
Definition
an organism capable of causing disease in its host
Term
host
Definition
any organism that harbors another organism
Term
symbiosis
Definition
living together of 2 different kinds of organisms
Term
mutualism
Definition
form of symbiosis in which 2 organisms of different species live in a relationship that benefits both of them
Term
parasitism
Definition
symbiotic relationship in which one organism, the parasite, benefits from the relationship, whereas the other organism, the host, is harmed by it
Term
parasite
Definition
organisms that lives in or on, and at the expense of, another organism, the host
Term
commensalism
Definition
symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other one neither benefits nor is harmed by the relationship
Term
contamination
Definition
presence of microorganisms on inanimate objects or surfaces of the skin and mucous membranes
Term
infection
Definition
multiplication of a parasite organism, usually microscopic, within or upon the host's body
Term
infestation
Definition
presence of helminths or arthropods in or on a living host
Term
disease
Definition
disturbance in the state of health wherein the body cannot carry out all its normal functions
Term
pathogenicity
Definition
the capability to produce disease
Term
virulence
Definition
the degree of intensity of the disease produced by a pathogen
Term
animal passage
Definition
rapid transfer of a pathogen through animal of a species susceptible to infection by the pathogen
Term
attenuation
Definition
the weakening of the disease-producing ability of an organism
Term
transposal of virulence
Definition
lab technique in which a pathogen is passed from its normal host sequentially through many individual members of a new host species, resulting in a lessening or even total loss in its virulence in the original host
Term
normal microflora
Definition
microorganisms that live on or in the body but do not usually cause disease
Term
resident microflora
Definition
species of microorganisms that are always present on or in an organism
Term
transient microflora
Definition
microorganisms that may be present in or on an organism under certain conditions and for certain lengths of time at sites where resident microbiota are found
Term
opportunists
Definition
species of resident or transient microbiota that does not ordinarily cause disease but can do so under certain conditions
Term
microbial antagonism
Definition
ability of normal microbiota to compete with pathogenic organisms and in some instances to effectively combat their growth
Term
immunocompromised
Definition
individual whose immune defenses are weakened due to fighting another infectious disease
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