AQA Biology GCSE Topic 3: Infection and Response

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and definitions related to infection, diseases, and the immune response as outlined in the AQA Biology GCSE syllabus.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause infectious disease, including viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi.

Viral Infection

Occurs when viruses enter cells, replicate, and cause cell damage leading to illness.

Bacteria

Small microorganisms that multiply quickly and produce toxins which can damage cells.

Fungi

Organisms that can be single-celled or multicellular and can produce spores to spread.

Direct Contact

One way pathogens spread, involving touching contaminated surfaces or bodily fluids.

Vaccination

A method to induce immunity by injecting a harmless form of a pathogen.

Antibiotics

Medicines that kill bacterial pathogens without harming body cells.

Phagocytosis

A process by which white blood cells engulf and destroy pathogens.

Herd Immunity

Protection from disease in a population due to a significant portion being vaccinated.

Malaria

A disease caused by protists that affects red blood cells, transmitted by mosquitoes.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by white blood cells that bind to specific antigens on pathogens.

Symptom

A physical sign of a disease, for example, fever or rash.

Insecticide

A substance used to kill insects, often to remove vectors that spread disease.

Antiretroviral drugs

Medications that stop the replication of the HIV virus in the body.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Identical antibodies produced from the same immune cell, used for targeting specific proteins.

Plant Pathogens

Microorganisms that cause disease in plants, such as viruses or fungi.

Nitrate Deficiency

A condition in plants that stunts growth due to a lack of nitrates necessary for protein synthesis.

Magnesium Deficiency

A condition causing chlorosis in plants due to insufficient magnesium needed for chlorophyll.

AIDS

A complex disease that results from HIV infection, leading to weakened immune function.