10. Diseases and immunity
- Syllabus
- 0610–2026–2027
- Section
- 10
- Level
- —
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In this section
Topic 10.1
10.1 Diseases and immunity
Objectives in this topic
10.1.1—Pathogen as a disease-causing organism
- Describe a pathogen as a disease-causing organism
10.1.2—Transmissible disease as a disease
- Describe a transmissible disease as a disease in which the pathogen can be passed from one host to another
10.1.3—Pathogen is transmitted: (a) by direct
- State that a pathogen is transmitted: (a) by direct contact, including through blood and other body fluids (b) indirectly, including from contaminated surfaces, food, animals and air
10.1.4—Body defences
- Describe the body defences, limited to: skin, hairs in the nose, mucus, stomach acid and white blood cells
10.1.5—Controlling disease spread
- Explain the importance of the following in controlling the spread of disease: (a) a clean water supply (b) hygienic food preparation (c) good personal hygiene (d) waste disposal (e) sewage treatment (details of the stages of sewage treatment are not required)
10.1.6—Active immunity as defence against
- Describe active immunity as defence against a pathogen by antibody production in the body
10.1.7—Each pathogen has its own antigens
- State that each pathogen has its own antigens, which have specific shapes
10.1.8—Antibodies as proteins that bind
- Describe antibodies as proteins that bind to antigens leading to direct destruction of pathogens or marking of pathogens for destruction by phagocytes
10.1.9—Specific antibodies have complementary
- State that specific antibodies have complementary shapes which fit specific antigens
10.1.10—Active immunity is gained after
- Explain that active immunity is gained after an infection by a pathogen or by vaccination
10.1.11—Process of vaccination: (a) weakened
- Outline the process of vaccination: (a) weakened pathogens or their antigens are put into the body (b) the antigens stimulate an immune response by lymphocytes which produce antibodies (c) memory cells are produced that give long-term immunity
10.1.12—Role of vaccination in controlling
- Explain the role of vaccination in controlling the spread of diseases
10.1.13—Passive immunity is a short-term
- Explain that passive immunity is a short-term defence against a pathogen by antibodies acquired from another individual, including across the placenta and in breast milk
10.1.14—Importance of breast-feeding
- Explain the importance of breast-feeding for the development of passive immunity in infants
10.1.15—Memory cells are not produced
- State that memory cells are not produced in passive immunity
10.1.16—Cholera as a disease caused
- Describe cholera as a disease caused by a bacterium which is transmitted in contaminated water
10.1.17—Cholera bacterium produces a toxin
- Explain that the cholera bacterium produces a toxin that causes secretion of chloride ions into the small intestine, causing osmotic movement of water into the gut, causing diarrhoea, dehydration and loss of ions from the blood