QUESTIONS

1. What is the name given to the study of the occurrence and spread of disease?
2. What is an obligate pathogen?
3. What is the term that describes the interval of time between an animal coming into contact with a pathogen and the development of clinical signs of disease?
4. What is the difference between morbidity rate and mortality rate?
5. List the 4 major groups of infectious agent and give an example of each.
6. List the 4 main factors that affect the incubation period of a disease.
7. Define the following terms: endemic, epidemic and pandemic.
8. What is a zoonotic disease?
9. What is a carrier?
10. What is the difference between a closed carrier and an open carrier?
11. What is the name given to an animal which has recovered from an infectious clinical disease that sheds large numbers of pathogens into the environment for variable periods following recovery?
12. What is meant by a healthy carrier?
13. What is the name of the enzyme present in tears, nasal mucus and saliva that can kill most bacteria coming into contact with it?
14. What is the name of the iron-binding protein found in neutrophils and bodily secretions that has bactericidal properties?
15. What is the name of the protein that is produced by cells infected by a virus that has an inhibitory effect upon viral replication?
16. What is the name given to a substance that has a damaging effect on the cells of the host?
17. What is the name given to antibodies that neutralise toxins thus rendering them harmless?
18. A neurotoxin is so-called due to its activity within the nervous system. Can you name an example?
19. Give an example of an enterotoxin (a toxin which functions within the gastrointestinal tract).
20. Give an example of an exotoxin (a toxin manufactured by living micro-organisms and then released into the surrounding medium).
21. Which are more toxic, endotoxins or exotoxins?
22. From what are endotoxins made?
23. What is the name of the toxin made by the saprophytic fungus Aspergillus flavus?