Communicable diseases
AQA GCSE Biology revision on Communicable diseases. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 25)
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Question 1
Which component of the human non-specific immune system physically traps inhaled pathogens in the airways?
- A) Hydrochloric acid
- B) Mucus in trachea
- C) Platelets in blood
- D) Skin surface layer
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Answer: Mucus in trachea
The trachea and bronchi are lined with goblet cells that produce mucus. This sticky substance traps dust and pathogens, which are then moved away from the lungs by cilia, preventing infection.
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Question 2
What is the primary biological mechanism by which antibiotics effectively treat bacterial infections without harming human cells?
- A) Inhibit binary fission
- B) Destroy cell walls
- C) Block viral entry
- D) Denature ribosomes
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Answer: Destroy cell walls
Antibiotics are designed to target bacterial-specific structures or processes. By damaging the bacterial cell wall or interfering with their unique metabolic pathways, they kill the bacteria without affecting human cells, which lack these specific targets.
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Question 3
What is the specific name of the protein molecule produced by lymphocytes that binds to a unique pathogen antigen?
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Answer: antibody
When a white blood cell detects a foreign antigen, it produces specific antibodies. These proteins have a complementary shape to the antigen, allowing them to bind to the pathogen and mark it for destruction by other immune cells.
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22 more questions on Communicable diseases — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Biology spec.