GCSE Biology · AQA 8461 · Topic 4.3
Infection and response
Key points
- Pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists) cause communicable diseases that can spread by air, water or direct contact.
- Examples include measles, HIV, salmonella, gonorrhoea, malaria, rose black spot and tobacco mosaic virus.
- The body has non-specific defences (skin, nose, trachea, stomach acid) and a specific immune response from white blood cells.
- Vaccination gives immunity; antibiotics kill bacteria but not viruses. New drugs go through preclinical and clinical trials.
- Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies made to target one specific antigen.
- Plants can be damaged by pathogens, pests and mineral deficiencies, and have physical, chemical and mechanical defences.
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Infection and response is about the microorganisms that cause disease, how they spread, and how humans and plants fight back. It also covers the medicines and technologies, from vaccines to monoclonal antibodies, that people have developed…
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