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Pathogens and infections: exam questions

6 questions, 15 marks. Write your answers on paper, then open each mark scheme.

Spec 5.4–5.8Questions and mark scheme (PDF)3 pages

Question 1

Which disease is caused by a protist?

  1. Cholera
  2. Malaria
  3. Tuberculosis
  4. Chalara ash dieback
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 1

Answer: B (1)

Question 2

Cholera is caused by bacteria. Explain how cholera is spread and how its spread can be reduced.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 2
  • bacteria are in water contaminated with sewage / faeces (1)
  • people become infected by drinking the contaminated water (1)
  • provide clean / treated drinking water or treat sewage (1) allow handwashing / thorough cooking of food

Question 3

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean

Which disease is caused by a virus and spread by contact with infected body fluids?

  1. Ebola
  2. Stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter
  3. Malaria
  4. Cholera
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 3

Answer: A (1)

Question 4

Triple only (what this means)Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. What the labels mean

Describe what happens in the lysogenic pathway of a virus.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 4
  • the viral genetic material enters the host cell (1)
  • it becomes part of the host cell's DNA / is integrated into the host DNA (1)
  • the virus is inactive / dormant, and is copied when the host cell divides (1) allow no new viruses are made until it is triggered

Question 5

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Explain how its spread can be reduced.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 5
  • use a condom (1)
  • which acts as a barrier / stops the bacteria passing between partners (1)
  • regular screening / testing and treating infected people with antibiotics (1)
  • limit the number of sexual partners / inform partners so they can be tested (1) allow abstaining from sex
  • Max 3

Question 6

Chalara ash dieback is a disease of ash trees caused by a fungus. (a) State two effects of the disease on an ash tree. (2) (b) Describe how the disease spreads and give one way of reducing its spread. (2)

[4 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 6
  • (a) leaf loss (1)
  • bark lesions (1)
  • (b) spores are carried in the air / by the wind (1)
  • destroy infected trees / restrict the movement or import of ash plants (1)
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