AQA (KS4)

KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

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Category (KS3)

Exam subject (KS4)

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Combined science
Year 11

Defences against pathogens, the human immune system and vaccination

3 lessons

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  • BQ05 Biology: How do living things stay healthy?

Description

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.

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Health and disease, where they explored the relationship between lifestyle factors and disease. It deepens their understanding by examining the body's defences against pathogens, focusing on the immune system and how vaccines help prevent diseases. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Medicines and new treatments for disease, where they will apply their knowledge to explore how modern medicines, such as antibiotics and monoclonal antibodies, are used to treat diseases, reinforcing their understanding of disease prevention and treatment.

  1. Non-specific defences of the human body against pathogens
  2. Immunity and vaccination
  3. Evaluating the global use of vaccination

  • Disease is a cause of ill health.
  • Lifestyle factors can cause or increase the risk of disease.
  • Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protists and fungi.
  • Ways in which pathogens can be spread.
  • Some common communicable diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, protists and fungi.

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