Bacterial Diseases (AQA GCSE Biology)

Bacterial pathogens are cells that can infect plants and animals, causing disease

Not all bacteria are harmful (so not all bacteria are pathogens) – both the skin and large intestine, in particular, are home to hundreds of different bacterial species that play a vital role in maintaining our health

• Bacteria on the skin act as competitors to harmful pathogens

• Bacteria in the large intestine digest substances we can’t in food (such as cellulose) and provide essential nutrients (such as Vitamin K)

Bacterial pathogens produce toxins that cause damage to cells and tissues directly

In certain optimum conditions, some bacteria can reproduce rapidly (with the fastest being once every 20 minutes for some species of coli)

• Optimum conditions usually involve warmth, moisture and a supply of nutrients

Salmonella food poisoning is spread by bacteria ingested in food, or on food prepared in unhygienic conditions

It is found in the gut of many different animals

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) – these diseases are also called sexually transmitted infections (STI)

In 2018 it had the largest increase (26%) of infections in the UK (a total of 56,259 cases!). It was the cause of 13% of diagnosed STDs