What is a pathogen?

A pathogen is a microorganism that can cause disease.

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What is a microorganism? 

Microorganisms are very small organisms. They include:


  1. Bacteria.
  2. Fungi.
  3. Protists (protoctists).
  4. Viruses (viruses aren't really 'organisms' but we still refer to them as microorganisms).

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How does hygiene reduce the spread of pathogens?

Washing things (e.g. our hands / food) kills the pathogens on them.


This stops the pathogens from spreading and infecting other people.

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How do vaccinations reduce the spread of pathogens?

Vaccinations grant immunity to disease. This makes it far less likely that a person could become infected and then spread the disease to others. 

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How does isolation (or quarantine) reduce the spread of pathogens?

If an infected person is isolated, they can't spread that disease to others because they don't come into contact with other people. 

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In the context of pathogens and disease, what is a 'vector'? 

A vector is a living organism that transmits a pathogen from an infected organism to another organism.

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Why are mosquitoes considered 'vectors'?

They transmit the pathogen (a protist) that causes the disease malaria. 

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What are the 4 main ways a pathogen can spread?

  1. Through the air - e.g. influenza spreads via tiny droplets of saliva when we sneeze/cough.
  2. Contaminated water - e.g. cholera spreads via water that's been contaminated by the diarrhoea of infected people.
  3. Contaminated food - Salmonella spreads when people eat food that has been infected by salmonella, and not cooked properly.
  4. Direct contact - e.g. athlete's foot is a fungal disease that spreads when people walk barefoot on surfaces contaminated with the fungi.

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