Infection & ResponseTopic Summary
Knowledge Organiser
Part of Pathogens and Disease Transmission — GCSE Biology
This topic summary covers Knowledge Organiser within Pathogens and Disease Transmission for GCSE Biology. Types of pathogens, how diseases spread, transmission methods, and prevention strategies It is section 18 of 19 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 18 of 19
Practice
18 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
Knowledge Organiser
Four Pathogen Types
- Bacteria — no nucleus, cell wall, reproduce independently (binary fission)
- Virus — not a cell, protein coat + DNA/RNA, needs host cell
- Fungus — eukaryotic, spreads by spores (e.g., athlete's foot)
- Protist — eukaryotic single cell, often needs a vector (e.g., malaria)
Key Disease Examples
- TB (bacteria) — airborne droplets — treat with antibiotics
- Measles (virus) — airborne droplets — prevent with MMR vaccine
- Malaria (protist) — Anopheles mosquito vector — nets, drain water
- Athlete's foot (fungus) — direct contact — antifungal cream
- Cholera (bacteria) — contaminated water — sanitation
- Salmonella (bacteria) — contaminated food — cook food thoroughly
- Gonorrhoea (bacteria) — sexual contact — condoms; antibiotic resistance increasing
- Chalara ash dieback (fungus, plant) — wind spores — no cure; fell infected trees
Common Marks Lost
- Saying antibiotics kill viruses (they do not)
- Confusing vector (mosquito) with pathogen (Plasmodium)
- Not explaining HOW transmission occurs — just naming the route
- Forgetting 25°C rule in practical (not body temperature 37°C)
- Claiming bacteria always cause disease (most are harmless)