Diseases
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe communicable and non-communicable diseases, including causes and risk factors.
Key learning points
- The good health of humans, other animals and plants can be compromised by diseases.
- Communicable diseases are spread by pathogens, including some bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists.
- Non-communicable diseases cannot be spread between organisms; they are caused by lifestyle and environmental factors.
- Lifestyle factors (e.g. hygiene, diet) affect the chances of developing communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Keywords
Communicable disease - A disease, caused by a pathogen, that can be spread from person to person through direct or indirect contact.
Non-communicable disease - A disease that cannot be spread from person to person.
Disease - A persistent deviation from a person’s normal appearance, body function or behaviour.
Common misconception
A person is either healthy or unhealthy.
Health is a range from good to ill health.
Teacher tip
For further discussion you could mention how we were able to slow down the spread of Covid-19 by washing hands, wearing face masks, lock-downs, isolation of patients and eventually vaccinations.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Disease is a cause of ill health.
Q2.True or false? Diseases are always caused by pathogens.
Q3.What organ pumps blood around the body?
Q4.Which of the following can be pathogens?
Q5.Which of the following are lifestyle factors that can cause disease?
Q6.Which of the following is not a disease?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Plants can get diseases.
Q2.Which diseases are non-communicable?
Q3.Which diseases are communicable?
Q4.Match the disease to the pathogen that causes it.
bacteria
virus
Q5.Who best describes disease?
Q6.Which of the following are risk factors for asthma?
To help you plan your 10 biology lesson on: Diseases, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 biology lesson on: Diseases, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Health and disease unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.