GCSE Biology (Separate Science) Success Criteria: Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to communicable and non-communicable diseases in GCSE Biology.

Communicable Disease

A disease caused by a pathogen that can be passed between individuals.

Non-communicable Disease

A disease that cannot be spread between organisms and is not caused by a pathogen.

Pathogen

A harmful microorganism including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists that can cause disease.

Incubation Period

Time after infection before symptoms appear during which pathogens reproduce.

Binary Fission

The method of reproduction for bacteria, where the bacteria splits in two.

Immune Response

The body's reaction to pathogens, including identifying, producing antibodies, and destroying pathogens.

Vaccine

A treatment containing dead or weakened pathogens to expose the immune system to the antigen.

Herd Immunity

The concept that most of a population being immune can prevent disease outbreaks.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Antibodies produced artificially by cloning a single type of lymphocyte.

Benign Tumour

A mass of abnormal cells that remain in one area and do not invade other parts of the body.

Malignant Tumour

Cancers; abnormal cells that invade neighbouring tissues and can spread throughout the body.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

A non-communicable disease caused by the buildup of fatty material in blood vessels supplying the heart.

Antibiotics

Medicines effective against bacterial infections, damaging bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Phagocytes

Type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests invading pathogens.

Lymphocytes

Type of white blood cell that produces specific proteins to attack pathogens.

Causation vs Correlation

Causation means a proven link, while correlation means a data link that may not indicate a cause.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)

A viral plant disease causing a mosaic pattern on leaves, affecting photosynthesis.

Rose Black Spot

A fungal plant disease characterized by purple/black spots on leaves that affect growth.