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11 Jul 2023
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GCSE Biology Infection and Response - Easy Notes and Exam Questions (AQA & PDF)
✧₊∘GCSE Tips ∘₊✧
@gcse.revision.notes
Defense Systems and Medical Treatments
This page focuses on the body's defense systems against pathogens and various medical treatments for infectious diseases.
Non-specific Defense Systems
The body has several non-specific defense mechanisms that prevent pathogens from entering:
- Skin: Provides a protective layer with dead cells and sebum, which kills bacteria.
- Nose: Contains hair and mucus to trap pathogens.
- Lungs: The trachea and bronchi are covered with cilia and mucus to trap and remove pathogens.
- Stomach: Contains hydrochloric acid that kills pathogens.
Specific Defense System: The Immune System
The immune system protects and destroys pathogens and toxins through three main mechanisms:
- Phagocytosis: White blood cells ingest and destroy pathogens.
- Antibody production: Protein molecules that stick to pathogens and trigger their destruction.
- Antitoxin production: Molecules that neutralize toxic substances produced by pathogens.
Vocabulary: Phagocytosis is the process by which white blood cells engulf and destroy pathogens.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations work by introducing a dead or inactive form of a pathogen into the body, stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies.
Definition: Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of the disease from person to person unlikely.
Antibiotics
Highlight: Antibiotics were first developed in the 1940s and are effective against bacterial infections.
Example: Penicillin is a common antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.
Types of Diseases and Pathogens
This page provides an overview of different types of diseases and pathogens, their characteristics, and examples of specific diseases.
Diseases
Diseases are categorized into two main types: communicable and non-communicable.
Definition: Communicable diseases are those that can spread from one person to another, while non-communicable diseases cannot be transmitted between individuals.
Examples of communicable diseases include measles, while non-communicable diseases include heart disease.
Highlight: Health is defined as a state of physical and mental well-being. Causes of ill-health include diseases, poor diet, stress, and other life situations such as working with harmful chemicals.
Pathogens
Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infectious diseases. There are four main types of pathogens:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protists
- Fungi
Example: The Human Papilloma Virus is an extremely common virus that can cause cervical cancer. About 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK.
Viral Diseases
Vocabulary: Viruses are pathogens that cannot be killed by antibiotics.
Examples of viral diseases include:
- Measles: Highly infectious, with symptoms including fever and a red skin rash.
- HIV : Initially presents with flu-like symptoms, but eventually severely damages the immune system, leading to AIDS.
Highlight: Antiretroviral drugs can stop the HIV virus from multiplying, allowing infected individuals to have a normal life expectancy, although this is not a cure.
Bacterial Diseases
Bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Examples include:
- Salmonella : Spread through ingesting infected food, causing symptoms like fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
- Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted disease with symptoms including yellow/green discharge and pain when urinating.
Highlight: Many strains of gonorrhea have become resistant to penicillin antibiotics.
Protist Diseases
Example: Malaria is a protist disease spread by mosquitoes, causing symptoms such as fever and potentially fatal complications.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
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4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
GCSE Biology Infection and Response - Easy Notes and Exam Questions (AQA & PDF)
✧₊∘GCSE Tips ∘₊✧
@gcse.revision.notes
Infection and Response Biology Notes: A comprehensive guide to communicable and non-communicable diseases, pathogens, and the body's defense mechanisms for GCSE Biology students.
- This guide covers key topics in Infection and Response Biology, including types of diseases, pathogens,... Show more
Defense Systems and Medical Treatments
This page focuses on the body's defense systems against pathogens and various medical treatments for infectious diseases.
Non-specific Defense Systems
The body has several non-specific defense mechanisms that prevent pathogens from entering:
- Skin: Provides a protective layer with dead cells and sebum, which kills bacteria.
- Nose: Contains hair and mucus to trap pathogens.
- Lungs: The trachea and bronchi are covered with cilia and mucus to trap and remove pathogens.
- Stomach: Contains hydrochloric acid that kills pathogens.
Specific Defense System: The Immune System
The immune system protects and destroys pathogens and toxins through three main mechanisms:
- Phagocytosis: White blood cells ingest and destroy pathogens.
- Antibody production: Protein molecules that stick to pathogens and trigger their destruction.
- Antitoxin production: Molecules that neutralize toxic substances produced by pathogens.
Vocabulary: Phagocytosis is the process by which white blood cells engulf and destroy pathogens.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations work by introducing a dead or inactive form of a pathogen into the body, stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies.
Definition: Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of the disease from person to person unlikely.
Antibiotics
Highlight: Antibiotics were first developed in the 1940s and are effective against bacterial infections.
Example: Penicillin is a common antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Types of Diseases and Pathogens
This page provides an overview of different types of diseases and pathogens, their characteristics, and examples of specific diseases.
Diseases
Diseases are categorized into two main types: communicable and non-communicable.
Definition: Communicable diseases are those that can spread from one person to another, while non-communicable diseases cannot be transmitted between individuals.
Examples of communicable diseases include measles, while non-communicable diseases include heart disease.
Highlight: Health is defined as a state of physical and mental well-being. Causes of ill-health include diseases, poor diet, stress, and other life situations such as working with harmful chemicals.
Pathogens
Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infectious diseases. There are four main types of pathogens:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protists
- Fungi
Example: The Human Papilloma Virus is an extremely common virus that can cause cervical cancer. About 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK.
Viral Diseases
Vocabulary: Viruses are pathogens that cannot be killed by antibiotics.
Examples of viral diseases include:
- Measles: Highly infectious, with symptoms including fever and a red skin rash.
- HIV : Initially presents with flu-like symptoms, but eventually severely damages the immune system, leading to AIDS.
Highlight: Antiretroviral drugs can stop the HIV virus from multiplying, allowing infected individuals to have a normal life expectancy, although this is not a cure.
Bacterial Diseases
Bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Examples include:
- Salmonella : Spread through ingesting infected food, causing symptoms like fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
- Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted disease with symptoms including yellow/green discharge and pain when urinating.
Highlight: Many strains of gonorrhea have become resistant to penicillin antibiotics.
Protist Diseases
Example: Malaria is a protist disease spread by mosquitoes, causing symptoms such as fever and potentially fatal complications.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user