Short Notes of Human Health and Disease

Human Health and Disease: Detailed Notes for Board Exams
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1. Introduction to Health and Disease
Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
Disease: An abnormal condition affecting the body’s structure or function.
Types of Diseases:
Infectious Diseases: Caused by pathogens and transmitted from person to

person.
Non-Infectious Diseases: Not caused by pathogens; includes genetic,

metabolic, and lifestyle diseases.
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2. Immunity
Definition: The body’s ability to resist infections and eliminate foreign

substances.
Types of Immunity:
Innate Immunity: Non-specific, first line of defense present at birth.
Acquired Immunity: Specific immunity developed after exposure to

pathogens.
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3. Innate Immunity (Non-specific)
Components:
1. Physical Barriers: Skin, mucous membranes
2. Physiological Barriers: pH, temperature
3. Cellular Barriers: Phagocytes (e.g., macrophages)
4. Cytokine Barriers: Proteins like interferons that interfere with viral

replication
Flowchart of Innate Immunity:

Pathogen Encounter → Physical Barrier (Skin, Mucous) → Cellular
Response (Macrophages, Phagocytes) → Inflammatory Response →
Prevention of Pathogen Spread
PYQ: Define innate immunity and list its four types. (2 Marks)
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4. Acquired Immunity (Specific)
Humoral Immunity: Involves B-cells and production of antibodies.
Cell-Mediated Immunity: Involves T-cells which directly destroy infected

cells.
Process of Humoral Immunity:
Pathogen Enters Body → Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs) Engulf Pathogen

→ Activation of B-Cells → Production of Antibodies →
Neutralization/Destruction of Pathogen
Diagram of Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immunity:
NCERT Exemplar Question: Explain the difference between humoral and

cell-mediated immunity. (3 Marks)
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5. Active and Passive Immunity
Active Immunity: Developed after exposure to pathogens or vaccines.
Natural Active Immunity: Response to natural infection.
Artificial Active Immunity: Through vaccination.
Passive Immunity: Obtained by transferring antibodies from another

person.
Natural Passive Immunity: Maternal antibodies passed to a child.
Artificial Passive Immunity: Injecting antibodies (e.g., anti-venom).
PYQ: Describe active and passive immunity with examples. (3 Marks)
6. Vaccination and Immunization
Vaccination: Introduction of a weakened pathogen to stimulate immune

response.
Immunization: The process of developing immunity.
How Vaccination Works:
The vaccine contains antigens that mimic the disease.
Immune response is triggered, creating memory cells.

Provides immunity without causing the disease.
Flowchart for Vaccination Process:
Vaccine Administration → Antigen Exposure → Immune Response

(Antibody Production) → Memory Cell Formation → Immunity
Development
NCERT Exemplar Question: Why are vaccines effective in preventing

infectious diseases? (2 Marks)
7. Allergies and Hypersensitivity
Allergy: Exaggerated immune response to harmless substances (allergens).
Examples: Pollen, dust, animal dander.
Symptoms: Sneezing, rash, itching, anaphylaxis (in severe cases).
Treatment: Antihistamines and avoiding allergens.
Diagram of Allergic Reaction:
PYQ: Define allergy. What happens in the body during an allergic response?
(2 Marks)
8. Autoimmune Diseases
Definition: Conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the
body’s own cells.
Examples: Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus.
Cause: Fault in immune regulation; body’s immune system attacks its own
cells as if they were pathogens.
NCERT Exemplar Question: What is an autoimmune disease? Give one
example. (2 Marks)
9. Infectious Diseases
Definition: Diseases caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi,

protozoa).
Common Infectious Diseases:
Malaria (caused by Plasmodium species)
AIDS (caused by HIV virus)
Tuberculosis (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis)
Life Cycle of Plasmodium (Malaria Pathogen):
Human Stage: Sporozoites enter the bloodstream, infect liver cells,

reproduce, and cause symptoms.
Mosquito Stage: Transmission to mosquito via bite, where gametocytes
develop in the mosquito gut.
Flowchart for Plasmodium Life Cycle:
Mosquito Bite → Sporozoites Enter Bloodstream → Liver Infection →

Release of Merozoites → RBC Infection → Transmission Back to Mosquito
PYQ: Describe the life cycle of Plasmodium in humans. (5 Marks)
10. Cancer and Its Causes
Cancer: Uncontrolled cell division leading to tumors.
Benign Tumors: Non-cancerous, localized growth.
Malignant Tumors: Cancerous, invasive, and can metastasize.
Causes of Cancer:
Carcinogens (e.g., chemicals, tobacco smoke).
Radiation exposure (e.g., UV rays).
Genetic mutations.
Cancer Treatment Methods:
Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill cancer cells.
Radiotherapy: Radiation to destroy cancerous cells.
Surgery: Physical removal of tumors.
Diagram of Tumor Progression:

PYQ: What are the primary causes of cancer? Describe any two treatment
methods. (5 Marks)
11. Drugs and Alcohol Abuse
Addiction: Dependency on substances like drugs or alcohol.
Consequences: Impaired cognitive function, physical health problems,

social and financial issues.
Common Drugs:
Opioids (e.g., heroin) – addictive, affects brain function.
Cannabinoids (e.g., marijuana) – affects central nervous system.
Effects of Alcohol on the Body:
Causes liver damage (e.g., cirrhosis), affects coordination, and can lead to
addiction.
NCERT Exemplar Question: Explain the effects of alcohol on the liver. (2

Marks)
Conclusion
Key Takeaways:
Preventive Healthcare: Vaccination, hygiene, balanced diet.
Treatment of Diseases: Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment.
Healthy Lifestyle: Avoiding drugs, alcohol, and other harmful substances.
Diagram Summing up Immunity and Disease Prevention:

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Human Health and Disease: Detailed Notes for Board Exams

1. Introduction to Health and Disease

Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Disease: An abnormal condition affecting the body’s structure or function.

Infectious Diseases: Caused by pathogens and transmitted from person to

Non-Infectious Diseases: Not caused by pathogens; includes genetic,

Definition: The body’s ability to resist infections and eliminate foreign

Acquired Immunity: Specific immunity developed after exposure to

3. Innate Immunity (Non-specific)

1. Physical Barriers: Skin, mucous membranes

2. Physiological Barriers: pH, temperature

3. Cellular Barriers: Phagocytes (e.g., macrophages)

4. Cytokine Barriers: Proteins like interferons that interfere with viral

Flowchart of Innate Immunity:

4. Acquired Immunity (Specific)

Humoral Immunity: Involves B-cells and production of antibodies.

Cell-Mediated Immunity: Involves T-cells which directly destroy infected

Process of Humoral Immunity:

Pathogen Enters Body → Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs) Engulf Pathogen

Diagram of Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immunity:

NCERT Exemplar Question: Explain the difference between humoral and

Active Immunity: Developed after exposure to pathogens or vaccines.

Natural Active Immunity: Response to natural infection.

Artificial Active Immunity: Through vaccination.

Passive Immunity: Obtained by transferring antibodies from another

Natural Passive Immunity: Maternal antibodies passed to a child.

Artificial Passive Immunity: Injecting antibodies (e.g., anti-venom).

PYQ: Describe active and passive immunity with examples. (3 Marks)

6. Vaccination and Immunization

Vaccination: Introduction of a weakened pathogen to stimulate immune

Immunization: The process of developing immunity.

How Vaccination Works:

The vaccine contains antigens that mimic the disease.

Immune response is triggered, creating memory cells.

Flowchart for Vaccination Process:

Vaccine Administration → Antigen Exposure → Immune Response

NCERT Exemplar Question: Why are vaccines effective in preventing

7. Allergies and Hypersensitivity

Allergy: Exaggerated immune response to harmless substances (allergens).

Examples: Pollen, dust, animal dander.

Symptoms: Sneezing, rash, itching, anaphylaxis (in severe cases).

Treatment: Antihistamines and avoiding allergens.

Diagram of Allergic Reaction:

Examples: Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus.

Definition: Diseases caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi,

Common Infectious Diseases:

Malaria (caused by Plasmodium species)

AIDS (caused by HIV virus)

Tuberculosis (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis)

Life Cycle of Plasmodium (Malaria Pathogen):

Human Stage: Sporozoites enter the bloodstream, infect liver cells,

Flowchart for Plasmodium Life Cycle:

Mosquito Bite → Sporozoites Enter Bloodstream → Liver Infection →

Cancer: Uncontrolled cell division leading to tumors.

Benign Tumors: Non-cancerous, localized growth.

Malignant Tumors: Cancerous, invasive, and can metastasize.

Carcinogens (e.g., chemicals, tobacco smoke).

Radiation exposure (e.g., UV rays).

Cancer Treatment Methods: