When normal working stops
A disease affects how the body or mind works.
Everything has a job
When you are well, your lungs take in air, your stomach digests food, your heart pumps blood and your mind thinks and feels. All work normally.
What happens when one of them stops working properly?
What this lesson covers
The idea
A disease is a condition that affects the normal working of the body or mind, which can happen when one or more organs or organ systems stop functioning properly; some last a short time, others long.
Everything has a job
When you are well, your lungs take in air, your stomach digests food, your heart pumps blood and your mind thinks and feels. All work normally.
What happens when one of them stops working properly?
- The normal working of the body or mind is affected
- Nothing changes
- The other parts stop too
Stop a part
Tap a part to make it stop working properly. Then see how long it can last.
A disease
A disease is a condition that affects the normal working of the body or mind. It can happen when one or more organs or organ systems stop functioning properly.
Some diseases last for a short time. Others continue for a long time.
- How long | Example
- A short time | Common cold
- A long time; needs regular treatment or care | Diabetes
Notes
A disease affects the normal working of the body or mind. It can happen when organs or organ systems stop functioning properly. Some diseases last a short time, others a long time.
Check yourself
A disease is a condition that affects...
When can a disease happen?
Some diseases need regular treatment or care for a long time. What is true about them?
- the normal working of the body or mind — correct. Yes. That is what a disease does.
- only the colour of the skin. A disease affects how the body or mind works, not only skin colour.
- only people who are old. Anyone's body or mind can be affected.
- When one or more organs or organ systems stop functioning properly — correct. Yes. Then the normal working is affected.
- When all organs work properly. Then the body is working normally. There is no disease.
- Only when we eat sweets. A disease can have many causes, and it is about organs or systems not working properly.
- They last a long time — correct. Yes. Some diseases continue for a long time.
- They last only a short time. A short-lasting disease needs no long care.
- They are never serious. The point is how long they last: some continue for a long time and need care.