Cellular and Non-Cellular Pathogens

Cellular pathogens are microorganisms that are composed of cells, such as bacteria and protozoa. These pathogens are able to reproduce and grow independently inside host cells, causing a wide range of diseases. Bacteria, for example, can cause infections such as strep throat and tuberculosis, and protozoa can cause illnesses such as malaria and giardiasis.

Non-cellular pathogens, on the other hand, are microorganisms that are not composed of cells, such as viruses and prions. These pathogens are unable to reproduce or grow on their own and need a host cell to do so. Viruses, for example, can cause infections such as the flu and COVID-19, and prions can cause diseases such as mad cow disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Cellular pathogens are often treated with antibiotics, which target the bacterial cells, but these do not work against non-cellular pathogens as they do not have cells to target. Instead, treatments for non-cellular pathogens are more focused on managing symptoms and supporting the immune system.

In summary, cellular pathogens are microorganisms that are composed of cells, such as bacteria and protozoa, and are able to reproduce and grow independently inside host cells, causing a wide range of diseases. Non-cellular pathogens are microorganisms that are not composed of cells, such as viruses and prions, unable to reproduce or grow on their own and need a host cell to do so, which are often treated differently than cellular pathogens.