GCSE Combined Science Infection & response questions by topic

Complete the disease table.

1. (a)Name the pathogen type for measles.[1]
2. (b)Name the pathogen type for salmonella.[1]
3. (c)Name the pathogen type for rose black spot.[1]
4. (d)Name the pathogen type for malaria and its vector.[1]

This question is about the body’s defences.

1. (a)Name two barriers that stop pathogens entering the body.[2]
2. (b)Name the white blood cell that engulfs pathogens.[1]
3. (c)Name the protein made by lymphocytes that matches a pathogen’s antigen.[1]

State whether each treatment kills pathogens or only relieves symptoms.

1. (a)Antibiotics.[1]
2. (b)Painkillers.[1]
3. (c)Explain why antibiotics cannot cure the flu.[2]

A child is given the measles vaccine. Explain how it protects her later.

1. (a)State what a vaccine contains.[1]
2. (b)Describe the immune response it triggers.[2]
3. (c)State what happens when the real pathogen arrives.[1]

A hospital tracks MRSA infections for two years.

1. (a)Calculate the percentage fall in the rate from Year 1 to Year 2.[2]
2. (b)Suggest two hospital practices that could explain the fall.[2]

Explain how the immune system responds to a first infection with a new virus.

1. (a)Describe the role of phagocytes.[1]
2. (b)Describe how lymphocytes respond and why their response is specific.[3]
3. (c)State what the body keeps after recovery.[1]

A new strain of gonorrhoea no longer responds to the usual antibiotic.

1. (a)Name this development.[1]
2. (b)Explain how it arose.[2]
3. (c)State one consequence for patients.[1]

A country’s measles vaccine coverage falls from 95% to 78% in one region.

1. (a)State what is likely to happen to measles cases and why.[2]
2. (b)Name the group who lose the most protection and explain why.[2]

A student claims: “Antibiotics are useless in medicine.”

1. (a)State whether the claim is correct.[1]
2. (b)Give the evidence against the claim.[2]
3. (c)Explain the grain of truth inside the claim.[2]

Design the clinical trial for a new antibiotic against a resistant bacterium.

1. (a)Outline the testing stages before patients can be involved.[2]
2. (b)Describe a fair trial design for patients, naming two controls.[3]
3. (c)State why the results are peer-reviewed.[1]

Compare the work of phagocytes and lymphocytes during a bacterial infection.

1. (a)Describe what each cell does.[4]
2. (b)Explain why the body needs both.[2]

A traveller is heading to a region where malaria is common but no vaccine is available.

1. (a)Explain why avoiding mosquito bites is the main protection.[2]
2. (b)Suggest two practical measures the traveller should take.[2]
3. (c)Explain why treating standing water near homes helps whole villages.[1]