State five examples of aseptic techniques used to control the spread of pathogens.
Answer:
• Sterilisation
• Boiling
• Using antiseptic
• Disinfecting
• Radiation
How is the aseptic technique related to the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’?
Answer:
The aseptic technique is applied to protect a person from infections by eliminating existing or nearby pathogens before the person contracts any diseases caused by the pathogens.
(a) What is sterilisation?
(b) How is sterilisation carried out?
(c) Why is the use of autoclave more effective in the prevention of microorganisms compared to boiling water?
Answer:
(a)
Sterilisation is the process of killing or eliminating microorganisms from an object or a particular surrounding.
(b)
Sterilisation is carried out using heat, chemical substances, radiation, high pressure and filtration.
(c)
The temperature in the autoclave (121°C – 132°C) can kill microorganisms and their spores. Water boiled at 100°C can only kill microorganisms but not their spores. This is because their spores can withstand a temperature of 100°C.
State one similarity and one difference between antiseptics and disinfectants.
Answer:
Similarity:
Both antiseptics and disinfectants can be used to kill pathogens.
Difference:
Antiseptics can be applied on the skin of humans but disinfectants are not suitable to be applied on the human skin.
Name three examples of ionising radiation used in the aseptic technique.
Answer:
Ultraviolet ray, X-ray, gamma ray
State the type of substance that is used to treat the following infectious diseases:
(a) athlete’s foot
(b) pneumonia
(c) shingles
Answer:
(a) Athlete’s foot: antifungal
(b) Pneumonia: antibiotic
(c) Shingles: antiviral