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Health and Hygiene - Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

Grade 6ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Health is defined by the WHO as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Diseases are broadly classified into two categories: Communicable (Infectious) and Non-communicable (Non-infectious).

Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens such as BacteriaBacteria, VirusesViruses, ProtozoaProtozoa, and FungiFungi. They spread through air, water, food, or vectors.

Vectors are organisms, like the female AnophelesAnopheles mosquito (carrying PlasmodiumPlasmodium), that transmit pathogens from an infected person to a healthy person.

Non-communicable diseases are not spread from person to person. They may be caused by nutritional deficiencies (e.g., lack of Vitamin DD), organ failure, or lifestyle factors.

Nutritional deficiency diseases include Scurvy (lack of Vitamin CC), Rickets (lack of Vitamin DD and Ca2+Ca^{2+}), and Anemia (lack of FeFe).

Hygiene involves practices like maintaining clean surroundings, drinking boiled H2OH_2O, and regular handwashing to prevent the spread of microorganismsmicro-organisms.

📐Formulae

Health=Physical Wellbeing+Mental Wellbeing+Social Wellbeing\text{Health} = \text{Physical Wellbeing} + \text{Mental Wellbeing} + \text{Social Wellbeing}

Communicable Disease1Hygiene Standards\text{Communicable Disease} \propto \frac{1}{\text{Hygiene Standards}}

C6H8O6 (Vitamin C)Prevention of ScurvyC_6H_8O_6 \text{ (Vitamin C)} \rightarrow \text{Prevention of Scurvy}

Fe (Iron)Hemoglobin ProductionFe \text{ (Iron)} \rightarrow \text{Hemoglobin Production}

I2 (Iodine)Prevention of GoitreI_2 \text{ (Iodine)} \rightarrow \text{Prevention of Goitre}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A student suffers from bleeding gums and slow healing of wounds. Identify the possible deficiency and the chemical name of the required nutrient.

Solution:

The student is likely suffering from Scurvy. This is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin CC. The chemical name for Vitamin CC is Ascorbic Acid (C6H8O6C_6H_8O_6).

Explanation:

Vitamin CC is essential for the maintenance of healthy gums and the repair of tissues. Its absence leads to the weakening of capillaries.

Problem 2:

Classify the following as Communicable or Non-communicable: (a) Tuberculosis, (b) Diabetes, (c) Malaria, (d) Hypertension.

Solution:

(a) Tuberculosis: Communicable (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium\ tuberculosis), (b) Diabetes: Non-communicable (metabolic disorder), (c) Malaria: Communicable (protozoan PlasmodiumPlasmodium), (d) Hypertension: Non-communicable (lifestyle related).

Explanation:

Communicable diseases require a pathogen and a mode of transmission, whereas non-communicable diseases are internal physiological or nutritional issues.

Problem 3:

Explain the role of FeFe in the human body and the disease caused by its deficiency.

Solution:

Iron (FeFe) is a core component of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Its deficiency causes Anemia.

Explanation:

Hemoglobin binds with O2O_2 to transport it to various tissues. Low FeFe levels result in reduced O2O_2 carrying capacity, leading to fatigue and paleness.

Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases Revision - Class 6 Science ICSE