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Biology

14 Dec 2025

320

3 pages

AQA Biology: Infection and Response Notes

F

fatima jawad @fatimajawad_lnfl

Disease, immunity, and plant biology might seem like complex topics, but they're actually about how living things protect... Show more

INFECTION AND RESPONSES
Types of pathogens:
∙Diseases
-fighting disease
-drug development and monoclone
•Pathogen: microorganisms that cause

Understanding Disease and Pathogens

Ever wondered why you get ill? It's all down to tiny troublemakers called pathogens - microscopic organisms that cause disease and spread easily between people, plants, and animals.

Bacteria are incredibly small cells that make you feel rough by releasing toxins that damage your body's cells. Viruses are even sneakier - they're not even proper cells! They sneak inside your cells, replicate like crazy, and cause your cells to burst, which definitely makes you feel awful.

Protists are single-celled organisms that act as parasites, living on or inside other organisms and causing damage. They often need a vector (like a mosquito) to spread from one host to another. Fungi come in different shapes and can be single cells or have thread-like structures called hyphae that penetrate skin and plant surfaces, producing spores that spread disease.

Key Insight Pathogens spread through water, air, and direct contact - which is why washing your hands and covering coughs is so important!

Common diseases include measles (viral, spreads through coughs), HIV (viral, spreads through body fluids), tobacco mosaic virus (affects plants), and malaria (caused by protists carried by mosquitoes).

INFECTION AND RESPONSES
Types of pathogens:
∙Diseases
-fighting disease
-drug development and monoclone
•Pathogen: microorganisms that cause

How Your Body Fights Back

Your body is like a fortress with multiple defence systems working 24/7 to keep pathogens out. The first line of defence includes your skin, hair, mucus glands with cilia, and stomach acid.

Your immune system is the real hero though. White blood cells patrol your body, engulfing and digesting pathogens through a process called phagocytosis. Each pathogen has a unique identifier called an antigen.

When white blood cells encounter a pathogen, they produce specific antibodies that lock onto the antigen and destroy it. These antibodies multiply rapidly, and some become memory cells that stick around in your blood. If the same pathogen tries to attack again, these memory cells recognise it immediately and mount a swift defence.

Remember This is exactly how vaccines work - they train your immune system to recognise threats without making you properly ill!

Vaccinations have pros and cons. They control communicable diseases and prevent epidemics when lots of people get vaccinated. However, they don't always work perfectly and can sometimes cause side effects.

INFECTION AND RESPONSES
Types of pathogens:
∙Diseases
-fighting disease
-drug development and monoclone
•Pathogen: microorganisms that cause

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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

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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

 

Biology

320

14 Dec 2025

3 pages

AQA Biology: Infection and Response Notes

F

fatima jawad

@fatimajawad_lnfl

Disease, immunity, and plant biology might seem like complex topics, but they're actually about how living things protect themselves and stay healthy. From understanding how your body fights off infections to learning how plants defend against threats, these concepts explain... Show more

INFECTION AND RESPONSES
Types of pathogens:
∙Diseases
-fighting disease
-drug development and monoclone
•Pathogen: microorganisms that cause

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

Understanding Disease and Pathogens

Ever wondered why you get ill? It's all down to tiny troublemakers called pathogens - microscopic organisms that cause disease and spread easily between people, plants, and animals.

Bacteria are incredibly small cells that make you feel rough by releasing toxins that damage your body's cells. Viruses are even sneakier - they're not even proper cells! They sneak inside your cells, replicate like crazy, and cause your cells to burst, which definitely makes you feel awful.

Protists are single-celled organisms that act as parasites, living on or inside other organisms and causing damage. They often need a vector (like a mosquito) to spread from one host to another. Fungi come in different shapes and can be single cells or have thread-like structures called hyphae that penetrate skin and plant surfaces, producing spores that spread disease.

Key Insight: Pathogens spread through water, air, and direct contact - which is why washing your hands and covering coughs is so important!

Common diseases include measles (viral, spreads through coughs), HIV (viral, spreads through body fluids), tobacco mosaic virus (affects plants), and malaria (caused by protists carried by mosquitoes).

INFECTION AND RESPONSES
Types of pathogens:
∙Diseases
-fighting disease
-drug development and monoclone
•Pathogen: microorganisms that cause

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

How Your Body Fights Back

Your body is like a fortress with multiple defence systems working 24/7 to keep pathogens out. The first line of defence includes your skin, hair, mucus glands with cilia, and stomach acid.

Your immune system is the real hero though. White blood cells patrol your body, engulfing and digesting pathogens through a process called phagocytosis. Each pathogen has a unique identifier called an antigen.

When white blood cells encounter a pathogen, they produce specific antibodies that lock onto the antigen and destroy it. These antibodies multiply rapidly, and some become memory cells that stick around in your blood. If the same pathogen tries to attack again, these memory cells recognise it immediately and mount a swift defence.

Remember: This is exactly how vaccines work - they train your immune system to recognise threats without making you properly ill!

Vaccinations have pros and cons. They control communicable diseases and prevent epidemics when lots of people get vaccinated. However, they don't always work perfectly and can sometimes cause side effects.

INFECTION AND RESPONSES
Types of pathogens:
∙Diseases
-fighting disease
-drug development and monoclone
•Pathogen: microorganisms that cause

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

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

5

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content in Biology

Most popular content

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