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Led by Louis Pasteur Simulacrum
The seventh module of the OCR GCSE Biology A course — communicable and non-communicable disease, the immune system, vaccines, antibiotics, and medical frontiers. Hosted by Louis Pasteur Simulacrum.
Led by Louis Pasteur Simulacrum
The question
The relationship between health and disease, how communicable diseases (caused by viruses, bacteria, protists and fungi) spread in animals and plants, and how they can be prevented. Covers specific examples — named human infections, plant diseases (TMV, barley powdery mildew, crown gall disease), sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and the interaction between communicable and non-communicable diseases (HIV/TB, HPV/cervical cancer).
Outcome
The student can describe how communicable diseases are spread and prevented, name specific pathogens, and explain interactions between disease types. (Disease transmission)
Sub-units
Led by Louis Pasteur Simulacrum
The question
How plants defend themselves against disease without an immune system — physical defences (leaf cuticle, cell wall) and chemical defences (antimicrobial substances). How plant diseases are detected in the laboratory (DNA and antigen detection) and in the field (observation and microscopy).
Outcome
The student can describe physical and chemical plant defence responses and explain methods for detecting plant diseases in the lab and the field. (Plant pathology)
Sub-units
Led by Louis Pasteur Simulacrum
The question
The body's defences against pathogens — non-specific defences (skin, mucous membranes), and the specific immune response through white blood cells (phagocytes engulfing pathogens, lymphocytes producing antibodies against specific antigens). Covers monoclonal antibodies — how they are produced and their uses in pregnancy testing, disease detection and potentially in targeting cancer cells.
Outcome
The student can describe the non-specific and specific defence systems of the body and explain how monoclonal antibodies are produced and used. (Immunology)
Sub-units
Led by Louis Pasteur Simulacrum
The question
How vaccines prevent disease by stimulating the immune response, the distinction between antibiotics, antivirals and antiseptics, and the aseptic techniques used in culturing organisms in the laboratory (flaming, autoclaving, alcohol, working near a Bunsen burner). Covers the stages of drug development from preclinical testing through clinical trials.
Outcome
The student can explain how vaccines and medicines prevent and treat disease, describe aseptic techniques, and outline the stages of drug development. (Preventive and therapeutic medicine)
Sub-units
Led by Louis Pasteur Simulacrum
The question
The non-communicable diseases — cardiovascular disease, cancer, some lung and liver diseases, type 2 diabetes — and the lifestyle factors (exercise, diet, alcohol, smoking) that affect their incidence. Covers evaluation of treatments for cardiovascular disease, cancer as uncontrolled cell growth, the potential benefits and risks of stem cells and gene technology in medicine, and the importance of the human genome for predicting disease and targeting treatments.
Outcome
The student can describe non-communicable diseases and lifestyle risk factors, evaluate cardiovascular disease treatments, and discuss the potential of stem cells and gene technology in medicine. (Lifestyle medicine and medical frontiers)
Sub-units