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Biological Agent Effects

Terms in this set (26)

What the Biological Weapons Convention prohibits
Development, production, stockpiling, or acquisition of biological agents or toxins "of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective and other peaceful purposes," as well as weapons and means of delivery.
How other sources of biological-related hazards may affect unit operations
Toxic Industrial Biologicals if their activities take place in the unit's area of operations and there is a real danger from naturally occurring disease and even pandemics in certain areas of operation
The factors that affect the duration of effectiveness of a biological agent
refers to the persistency of the agent in the environment

depends on the characteristics of the agent (e.g., encapsulation, addition of dyes to the spray fluid, genetic engineering) and environmental factors (e.g., UV radiation, relative humidity, wind speed, and temperature gradient)
Pathogen
a microorganism that is able to cause disease in humans, animals, plants, or insects in specific ways

some pathogens are material agents that can degrade synthetic or organic materials such as rubber, plastic, or hydrocarbons (for example, gasoline or fuel oil)
Obligate pathogen
those bacteria that must cause an infection in the host in order to ensure continued survival
Opportunistic pathogens
do not have to cause disease in a host in order to be transmitted
Accidental pathogens
generally have a commonly benign relationship with hosts, only causing disease unintentionally
Bacteria
are single-cell organisms that possess cell walls, genetic material (deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA] and/or ribonucleic acid [RNA]), and various intracellular substances necessary for metabolism and reproduction
Protozoa
group of unicellular organisms, many of which are motile (can move on their own)

they are more complex than bacteria and much larger—up to a millimeter in size

protozoa have not been weaponized, but are responsible for several diseases of military significance, including malaria and amoebic dysentery
Metazoa
multicellular animals, many of which are parasites

among the diseases they cause are trichinosis, hookworm, and schistosomiasis
Fungi
a large group of organisms that includes pathogens such as yeasts, molds, and mushrooms
Viruses
pathogens that consist of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and a protein coating called the capsid

are obligate intracellular parasites, and require host cell metabolic machinery to form viral components that assemble into particles called virions, which serve to protect the nucleic acid genome and to transfer it to other cells

are sensitive to the environment, particularly ultraviolet light, but are more prone to enter a dormant phase than most bacteria
Rickettsiae
intracellular, parasitic pathogens that are considered intermediate in size between the bacteria and viruses

parasites of lower animals and arthropods

transmitted to man and animals by vectors such as ticks, lice, fleas, and mites
Toxins
a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are excluded

capable of causing disease on contact or if absorbed by body tissues, often by interacting with biological enzymes or cellular receptors

many were developed for medical use (e.g., atropine, morphine, and the antibiotics streptomycin and penicillin)

as a general rule, toxins are not chemically synthesized; they are extracted from their natural sources
Species Specificity
pathogens are species-specific

this specificity protects humans from many animal diseases that otherwise could produce severe disease
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