Immunity is established after the body is first exposed to a pathogen's antigens, and enables white blood cells to respond quickly to the antigen when the body is re-exposed to it.

Proteins produced by white blood cells against specific pathogens.

White blood cells that remain in the blood and give lasting immunity to certain pathogens.

A formulation that contains an inactive pathogen, or parts of it.

The process of administering a vaccine to an individual to create immunity to a pathogen.

Immunity and vaccination

Combined science

Non-specific defences of the human body against pathogens

Evaluating the global use of vaccination

Pupils will learn about the use of antibiotics against pathogens, and the development of new drugs and novel treatments for disease.

Pupils learned about non-communicable diseases in humans, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer; and about communicable diseases in humans and plant caused by pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists.

This unit explores the body's defences and immune response against pathogens, disease prevention, and vaccines. It covers plant defence responses, and disease detection, and evaluates scientific applications, considering personal, social, economic, and environmental implications.

Defences against pathogens, the human immune system and vaccination

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

The ability to recognise an antigen the first time the body is exposed to it.

The ability to respond quickly to an antigen when the body is re-exposed to it.

The ability to engulf and digest a pathogen.

A dead or inactive form of the pathogen, or parts of it, are given as a vaccine.

Lymphocytes make antibodies that are complementary to the pathogen's antigens.

Phagocytes then destroy the inactive pathogen.

Memory cells remain in the blood, providing immunity to the pathogen. 

Put these steps in the correct order to explain how a vaccine works.

Which type of blood cell remains in the blood after the first exposure to an antigen and provides immunity?

Memory cells are able to quickly produce a mutation.

Memory cells are able to quickly produce antibodies.

Memory cells are able to quickly produce antigens.

What happens if a person is reinfected with the pathogen they were vaccinated against?

True or false? Memory cells are lymphocytes.

White blood cells mutate regularly so they no longer recognise influenza.

Antigens on the pathogen mutate regularly so memory cells can't respond as well.

Antibodies mutate when they encounter influenza and become harmful to the body.

Why is it difficult to make a single vaccine against influenza?

produced by white blood cells to neutralise harmful chemicals

produced by some pathogens and make us feel unwell

molecule found on the surface of all cells

produced by white blood cells and causes pathogens to clump together

Which of the following is a key part of the immune system?

Which of these do **not** help to protect us against pathogens?

can make specific antibodies that bind to antigens

infects the body and causes symptoms of illness

Antigens on the cell surface of a pathogen are detected.

Antibodies attach to the antigen on the surface of the pathogen.

Put these steps in order to explain how the body can remove harmful pathogens.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz