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3.6.10Additional lessons

Zoonoses — IB Biology SL Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 5 parts Lesson 79 of 142

📚 IB Biology SL Hub / Topical Revision
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Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
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Part 1 of 5Species Barriers

A zoonosis is a disease that passes from a non-human animal to humans.

Species-specific disease
  • Species-specific disease Many pathogens infect only one species, because they need specific receptors on host cells.
Receptors
  • Receptors If an animal pathogen can bind receptors found on human cells, it may infect humans.
Body temperature
  • Body temperature A pathogen adapted to one body temperature may not develop in a host with a different temperature.
Crossing the barrier
  • Crossing the barrier Mutation and close contact between species can allow a pathogen to cross the barrier.

Part 2 of 5Examples and Routes

Rabies
  • Rabies The virus is carried by mammals such as dogs and passes to humans through bites.
Influenza
  • Influenza Some influenza viruses circulate in birds or pigs and can occasionally infect people.
COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Evidence suggests that the virus that caused the pandemic originated in an animal host.
HIV
  • HIV The virus emerged from related viruses in non-human primates, and then developed into a human-only strain.
Transmission
  • Transmission Routes include direct contact, bites, eating infected animal products and vectors such as ticks.
RouteExample
BiteRabies
Contact with infected animalsSome influenza viruses
FoodInfection from undercooked meat
VectorTicks carrying bacteria

Part 3 of 5Why Zoonoses Are a Growing Concern

Why Zoonoses Are a Growing Concern
Close contact
  • Close contact Farming, markets, travel and habitat loss bring people and animals into closer contact.
Hard to eradicate
  • Hard to eradicate The pathogen can persist in an animal population, so removing it from humans may not remove it entirely.
Pandemic potential
  • Pandemic potential A new pathogen has no existing immunity in humans, so it can spread widely.
Animal products
  • Animal products Zoonoses can also harm livestock and the food supply.

Part 4 of 5Control

1
Monitor animal and human populations to detect new infections early.
2
Vaccinate pets and livestock where vaccines exist, as with rabies in dogs.
3
Improve hygiene, cook meat thoroughly and reduce unprotected contact with wild animals.
4
Work with veterinary and medical services together to protect both animal and human health.

Part 5 of 5Exam Checklist & Tips

3.6.10 – Key Points for the Exam

  • Zoonosis A disease that spreads from animals to humans.
  • Species barrier A limit that prevents a pathogen of one species infecting another.
  • Reservoir host An animal population that carries a pathogen.
  • Pandemic An outbreak spreading across many countries.

Common Mistakes

  • Saying all diseases can infect all species.
  • Writing that zoonoses spread only by bites.
  • Thinking that vaccinating humans alone removes the source of a zoonosis.
  • Confusing epidemic and pandemic; a pandemic is much wider in scale.

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