3.1 Pathogens and how diseases spread
6 exam questions worth 12 marks. Write your answer, open the mark scheme, then give yourself the marks you earned. Your answers are saved on this device.
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What is a pathogen?
Mark scheme
a microorganism that causes (infectious) disease
Model answer
A pathogen is a microorganism that causes disease.
Which type of pathogen can only reproduce inside living cells?
Choose one answer.
Correct Not quite: the answer is Virus
Mark scheme
B: virus
Model answer
B: viruses reproduce inside host cells.
Describe how viruses and bacteria make people feel ill.
Mark scheme
- bacteria: produce toxins that damage tissues (1)
- viruses: reproduce inside cells and damage / burst them (1)
Model answer
Bacteria release toxins that damage tissues. Viruses reproduce inside cells, which damages them when they burst.
Name three ways that communicable diseases can be spread.
Mark scheme
Any three from:
- air / droplets (1)
- water (1)
- direct contact / body fluids / sexual contact (1)
- contaminated food (1)
- vectors (1)
Model answer
Through the air in droplets, in water, and by direct contact.
What is a vector? Give an example.
Mark scheme
- an organism that carries / spreads a pathogen (from one host to another) (1)
- e.g. mosquito / aphid / insect (1)
Model answer
A vector is an animal that carries a pathogen from one host to another, such as a mosquito.
Influenza is spread in droplets from coughs and sneezes.
Suggest three ways to reduce the spread of influenza in a school.
Mark scheme
Any three from:
- vaccination (1)
- covering mouth and nose when coughing / sneezing / using tissues (1)
- washing hands / hand sanitiser (1)
- keeping ill people at home / isolation (1)
- cleaning surfaces (1)
- good ventilation / face masks (1)
Model answer
Vaccinate students and staff against influenza, ask people to cover their mouths with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands, and keep anyone who is ill at home.
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