(todo 5.5-11B) Health and Disease - Paper 1

Question 1

Describe health, as defined by the WHO.

Answer 1

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 2

Describe the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Answer 2

Communicable diseases can be transferred from one person to another, or from one organism to another.
Non-communicable diseases are not transferred between people or other organisms.

Question 3

Explain reasons that the presence of one disease might lead to a higher susceptibility to other diseases.

Answer 3

• Defects in the immune system mean that an individual is more likely to suffer from infectious diseases.
• Viruses living in cells can be the trigger for cancers.
• The reaction of the immune system to pathogens and other foreign bodies can trigger allergic reactions that lead to skin rashes and asthma.
• Severe physical ill health can lead to depression and other types of mental illness.

Question 4

Define pathogen

Answer 4

A pathogen is an organism that causes a disease, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists.

Question 5

Describe 3 common infections caused by bacteria.

Answer 5

• Cholera, causing diarrhoea
• Tuberculosis, damaging lungs
• Helicobacter pylori, causing stomach ulcers

Question 6

Describe 2 common infections caused by viruses.

Answer 6

• HIV, destroying white blood cells when activated - leading to the onset of AIDS
• Ebola, causing haemorrhagic fever

Question 7

Describe a common infection caused by fungi.

Answer 7

Chalara ash dieback, causing leaf loss and bark lesions.

Question 8

Describe a common infection caused by a protist.

Answer 8

Malaria, damaging blood and the liver.