Fungal infection

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/fungal-infection

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key virulence factors?Phenotypic switching, tissue-degrading enzymes, biofilm formation, and immune modulation
2. What are fungal infections and why do they make us feel yucky?Fungal infections, also called mycoses, are caused by tiny fungi that can grow on our skin or deeper in our bodies. They can make us feel itchy, sore, or even very sick if they spread inside us.
3. How do fungi trick our immune system?Fungi have special walls made of chitin and glucans that help them hide from our immune cells. They can also make enzymes that break down our tissues, change shape to invade deeper, and build protective biofilms that keep them safe from medicines.

Dermatophytes: A group of fungi that cause superficial infections of the skin, hair, and nails.
Invasive Mycosis: A fungal infection that spreads to internal organs or bloodstream, often life-threatening.
Antifungal Resistance: The ability of a fungal pathogen to withstand the effects of antifungal medications.