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Biology - Diseases and First Aid (Communicable and Non-communicable diseases)

Grade 8ICSE

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

🔑Concepts

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Disease is defined as a departure from a state of health, involving a disruption in the normal functioning of the body or mind.

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Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens such as BacteriaBacteria, VirusesViruses, ProtozoaProtozoa, and FungiFungi, and can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person via air, water, food, or vectors like the female Anopheles\textit{Anopheles} mosquito.

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Non-communicable diseases are not transmitted from person to person; they include deficiency diseases (e.g., Goitre due to lack of I2I_2), metabolic disorders (e.g., Diabetes Mellitus), and lifestyle diseases like Hypertension.

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Immunity is the body's ability to resist and fight infections, which can be natural or acquired through vaccination. Vaccines stimulate the production of antibodies against specific antigens.

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Pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis\textit{Mycobacterium tuberculosis} (Tuberculosis) and Vibrio cholerae\textit{Vibrio cholerae} (Cholera) represent bacterial threats, while diseases like AIDS are caused by the HIVHIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

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First Aid for burns involves immediate cooling with running H2OH_2O, while first aid for fractures requires immobilization using a splint to prevent further injury.

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Oral Rehydration Solution (ORSORS) is essential in treating dehydration caused by diseases like Cholera and Diarrhoea to maintain the electrolyte balance of Na+Na^+ and Cl−Cl^- ions.

📐Formulae

BMI=Mass (in kg)[Height (in m)]2BMI = \frac{Mass \text{ (in } kg)}{[Height \text{ (in } m)]^2}

Home-made ORS≈1 Litre H2O+6 tsp Sugar+0.5 tsp NaCl\text{Home-made ORS} \approx 1 \text{ Litre } H_2O + 6 \text{ tsp Sugar} + 0.5 \text{ tsp } NaCl

Blood Pressure (Normal)≈120 mm Hg (Systolic)80 mm Hg (Diastolic)\text{Blood Pressure (Normal)} \approx \frac{120 \text{ mm Hg (Systolic)}}{80 \text{ mm Hg (Diastolic)}}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A person is diagnosed with Goitre. Identify the nutrient deficiency and the chemical symbol of the element involved.

Solution:

The person is suffering from a deficiency of Iodine. The chemical symbol for Iodine is II.

Explanation:

Iodine is essential for the synthesis of Thyroxine hormone by the thyroid gland. Lack of I2I_2 in the diet leads to the enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as Goitre.

Problem 2:

Calculate the Body Mass Index (BMIBMI) of a person who weighs 70 kg70 \text{ kg} and has a height of 1.75 m1.75 \text{ m}. Determine if they are in the normal range (18.5−24.918.5 - 24.9).

Solution:

BMI=70(1.75)2=703.0625≈22.86 kg/m2BMI = \frac{70}{(1.75)^2} = \frac{70}{3.0625} \approx 22.86 \text{ kg/m}^2

Explanation:

Using the formula BMI=massheight2BMI = \frac{mass}{height^2}, the value 22.8622.86 falls within the 18.518.5 to 24.924.9 range, indicating a healthy weight.

Problem 3:

Identify the pathogen and the vector for Malaria.

Solution:

Pathogen: Plasmodium\textit{Plasmodium} (a protozoan). Vector: Female Anopheles\textit{Anopheles} mosquito.

Explanation:

The vector carries the pathogen from an infected person to a healthy person. In Malaria, the Anopheles\textit{Anopheles} mosquito transfers the Plasmodium\textit{Plasmodium} parasite into the human bloodstream during a bite.