Eukaryotic pathogens

[JustinOIive]

Hey guys, just cleaning up some question marks from last unit. I was wondering if anyone could definitively describe to me exactly what I need to know about eukaryotic pathogens, or more specifically things like fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites & amoeba.

I think I heard a lecturer say that I literally don't need to carry any knowledge of these things into the exam, but this seems too good to be true, if you know what I mean. And the study design only outlines cellular and noncellular as far as I can tell, which is fantastically non-all-that-specific.

Okay, thanks in advance pepes c:

[cosine]

Hey guys, just cleaning up some question marks from last unit. I was wondering if anyone could definitively describe to me exactly what I need to know about eukaryotic pathogens, or more specifically things like fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites & amoeba.

I think I heard a lecturer say that I literally don't need to carry any knowledge of these things into the exam, but this seems too good to be true, if you know what I mean. And the study design only outlines cellular and noncellular as far as I can tell, which is fantastically non-all-that-specific.

Okay, thanks in advance pepes c:

Study design states the cellular and non-cellular pathogens, which include:

Cellular pathogens:

- Bacteria: All you need to know is that bacterium is a prokaryotic pathogen, has a cell wall, can replicate rapidly and that itself, despite being a pathogen, can be invaded by viruses known as bacteriophages.

- Fungus: I don't think that you need to know much about fungus apart from being eukaryotic. (someone correct me if im wrong)

- Protozoans: Same goes, I don't think you need to know much about protozoans, despite the fact that they are cellular pathogens. They are eukaryotic cells, too. (Credit to Mr. T-Rav)

Non-cellular pathogens:

- Viruses: All you need to know is that they are comprised of a protein coat, which encloses nucleic acid. It can carry EITHER DNA or RNA, and not both at one. Viruses can only reproduce and hence survive if they can invade a host cell, inject/release their viral DNA/RNA and as a result alter the cell's normally functioning DNA to produce more viral nucleic acid. This viral DNA/RNA is assembled into protein coats and new viruses are formed. Upon lysing of the host cell, the new viruses are released into the extracellular fluids.

- Viroids: All you need to know is that viroids are non-cellular pathogens that have no protein coat, and are simply single-stranded RNA molecules

- Prions: All you need to know is that prions are non-cellular pathogens that are indeed 'deformed' proteins.

[vox nihili]

Study design states the cellular and non-cellular pathogens, which include:

Cellular pathogens:

- Bacteria: All you need to know is that bacterium is a prokaryotic pathogen, has a cell wall, can replicate rapidly and that itself, despite being a pathogen, can be invaded by viruses known as bacteriophages.

- Fungus: I don't think that you need to know much about fungus apart from being eukaryotic. (someone correct me if im wrong)

- Protozoans: Same goes, I don't think you need to know much about protozoans, despite the fact that they are cellular pathogens.

Non-cellular pathogens:

- Viruses: All you need to know is that they are comprised of a protein coat, which encloses nucleic acid. It can carry EITHER DNA or RNA, and not both at one. Viruses can only reproduce and hence survive if they can invade a host cell, inject/release their viral DNA/RNA and as a result alter the cell's normally functioning DNA to produce more viral nucleic acid. This viral DNA/RNA is assembled into protein coats and new viruses are formed. Upon lysing of the host cell, the new viruses are released into the extracellular fluids.

- Viroids: All you need to know is that viroids are non-cellular pathogens that have no protein coat, and are simply single-stranded RNA molecules

- Prions: All you need to know is that prions are non-cellular pathogens that are indeed 'deformed' proteins.

Would just add that you need to know that protozoans are eukaryotic, otherwise this is just about it. The virus info is probably a bit too much for VCE, but better to have too much than too little.

Knowing an example of each isn't a bad idea either.

[JustinOIive]

Thanks so much guys c:
Nothing new there for me so I'm content. Do you seriously not even need to know that much about viruses? I suppose the textbook goes way more indepth than necessary then.
Alright, thanks for the good news haha c: