Bacterial diseases
Not all bacteria are pathogenMicroorganism that causes disease. which cause disease. Many bacteriaSingle-celled microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic in humans, animals and plants. Singular is bacterium., like those found in the intestines, are useful. All bacteria are prokaryoteA single-celled organism which does not have a membrane-bound nucleus., and do not have a nucleusThe nucleus controls what happens inside the cell. Chromosomes are structures found in the nucleus of most cells. The plural of nucleus is nuclei.. Unlike viruses, bacteria are cells - they are larger but they cannot be seen without a microscope.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium. It is a common infection, especially amongst people aged 15 to 24.
Gonorrhoea causes a burning pain when urinating and often forms a thick yellow or green dischargeGreen or yellow liquid containing pus that arises from an infection. from an infected person's penis or vagina. If untreated it can result in infertileNot being able to have children.. To prevent infection, people can abstain from having sex or use a barrier-type of contraceptionAny form of birth control used to prevent pregnancy. like a condom. Gonorrhoea is treated by antibioticsSubstances that control the spread of bacteria in the body by killing them or stopping them reproducing., though some scientists believe that these antibiotics may one day stop working. This is due to their overuse which can lead to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a genusA rank in classification below family and above species. of bacteria that causes food poisoning. This often means abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhoeaLiquid faeces. . It is often found in unhygienic kitchens, undercooked foods such as meat, eggs and poultry, or the same foods that have not been reheated properly. To prevent the spread of Salmonella in the UK, all poultry are vaccineSubstances containing disabled antigens of a particular disease, usually administered via injection. Vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies to provide immunity against that disease. against it. Cooking food thoroughly, after preparing it in hygienic conditions, is the best way to avoid illness.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a speciesA type of organism that is the basic unit of classification. Individuals of different species are not able to interbreed successfully. of bacteria that causes crown gall disease in plants. This is like cancer and a tumour develops where the bacterium has infected the plant. Often the tumours appear in the stems or roots of the plants. Many plant species can be infected by the bacterium and so it is a huge concern for farmers.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens transfers some of its own DNA to the infected plant cell's DNA. This means that scientists can test the DNA of the infected plant to see if it has been infected by Agrobacterium tumefaciens and confirm that the disease is crown gall disease.
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