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Infectious Agents - Overview (view source)
Revision as of 15:06, 14 January 2011
, 15:06, 14 January 2011no edit summary
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Infectious agents are microorganisms found in nature that are harmful to animals and plants. Most microorganisms found in nature are not harmful, however some microorganisms can cause disease and are therefore referred to as pathogenic.
Infectious agents are microorganisms found in nature that are harmful to animals and plants. Most microorganisms found in nature are not harmful, however some microorganisms can cause disease and are therefore referred to as pathogenic.
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==[[Bacteria - Overview]]==
Microorganisms are categorised into distinct types. The main categories of veterinary interest are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses and prions, although other microorganisms also exist such as algae.
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==[[Bacteria]]==
Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotes, usually with rigid cell walls. They are much smaller than eukaryotic cells, although they can
Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotes, usually with rigid cell walls. They are much smaller than eukaryotic cells, although they can
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==Fungi==
==[[Fungi]]==
Fungi are non-photosynthesising eukaryotes including
Fungi are non-photosynthesising eukaryotes including
Some types of fungi are classed as pathogenic due to their ability
Some types of fungi are classed as pathogenic due to their ability
to secrete mycotoxins that are able to cause disease.
to secrete mycotoxins that are able to cause disease.
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==[[Viruses]]==
The most notable difference between bacteria, fungi and
The most notable difference between bacteria, fungi and
viruses is that viruses are not cells. Viruses consist of nucleic acid, either
viruses is that viruses are not cells. Viruses consist of nucleic acid, either