5-2-defence-against-disease-O6fCKgvbfcx-iuz9

GCSE Edexcel Biology 2 hours 17 questions
Paper 1
5.2 Defence Against

Disease
5.2.1 Plant Defence Responses / 5.2.2 Plant Diseases / 5.2.3 Human Defence
Responses / 5.2.4 Immunity / 5.2.5 Vaccination
Easy (5 questions) /37 Scan here for your answers

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Medium (7 questions) /46
Hard (5 questions) /65
Total Marks /148
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Easy Questions
1 Measles is prevented by immunisation.
(i) State two reasons why people might not be immunised against measles.
(2)
1.......................................
2........................................
(ii) The spread of measles is prevented by herd immunity.
Describe herd immunity.

(2)
(4 marks)
2 (a) Figure 1 shows human blood seen using a light microscope.
Figure 1
(i) The organelle labelled X controls the activities of the white blood cell.
What is the name of organelle X?
(1)
☐ A mitochondrion
☐ B ribosome
☐ C chromosome
☐ D nucleus
(ii) Use words from the box to complete the sentences.
(2)
gas haemoglobin hormone
liquid platelet solid
Red blood cells contain the substance .......................................
Blood plasma is a ......................................
Describe two ways that white blood cells protect the body from disease.
(iii) (2)
(5 marks)
(b) Figure 2 shows a white blood cell on a 100 μm scale.
Figure 2
State the width of the white blood cell.
(1 mark)
(c) Figure 1 shows human blood seen using a light microscope.
Explain why using an electron microscope shows the structures in the white blood cells
more clearly.
(2 marks)
3 (a) Figure 1 shows the response of a lymphocyte to the presence of a pathogen.
Figure 1
Identify structures A and B in Figure 1.
(2 marks)
(b) Describe the events that occur after structure A binds to structure B.
(3 marks)
(c) Use the information in Figure 1 to explain why structure A will only bind to structure B
on the pathogen.
(2 marks)
(d) During the response to the presence of the pathogen, the lymphocytes will also form
cells that will protect the body against future infections by the same type of pathogen.
State the name of these cells.
(1 mark)
4 (a) Separate: Biology Only
This question is about how plants defend themselves against pathogens.
Complete the sentences by picking one of the words in bold in each set of [ ] brackets.
1. Plant cells have physical barriers to defend themselves against the entry of
pathogens. An example is the cell wall made of [starch / chitin / cellulose] that
acts as a barrier.
2. A physical barrier around the outside of the leaf is called the [waxy cuticle / guard
cells / palisade mesophyll].
3. The outside of trees have a thick protective layer of dead cells around the stems
called [cork / xylem / bark].
(3 marks)
(b) Separate: Biology Only

The passion flower (Passiflora) is a genus of plant that produces leaves with small yellow
spots, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
The spots on the leaves have evolved to mimic the eggs of butterflies.
What category of adaptation does this feature fall into?
Pick one option:
Physical
Mechanical
Chemical
(1 mark)
(c) Separate: Biology Only

Suggest why having a mimicry of butterfly eggs on the leaves might benefit the plant.
(2 marks)
(d) Separate: Biology Only

Methods to avoid herbivory are widespread in many different species of plants.
Whilst these adaptations help to protect plant tissues from damage, they also protect
from the entry of pathogens.
Suggest why does a defence against herbivores also defend against pathogens?
(1 mark)
5 (a) Separate: Biology Only
State one plant defence mechanism that is harmful to herbivores and beneficial to
humans. Explain why.
(3 marks)
(b) The skin is considered a crucial physical barrier in the human immune system.
Provide one specific way in which the skin prevents pathogen entry.
(1 mark)
(c) Separate: Biology Only
Higher Tier Only
Identifying plant diseases based solely on symptoms can be challenging because:
☐ A Symptoms are always unique to a specific disease

☐ B Multiple diseases can exhibit similar symptoms
☐ C Plants do not show symptoms of diseases
☐ D Identifying diseases based on symptoms is an easy process
(1 mark)
(d) Separate: Biology Only
Higher Tier Only
Fill in Table 1 below by indicating whether each method is used for identifying plant
diseases in the laboratory or/and in the field.
Table 1
Laboratory Field
Observations by plant pathologists
DNA analysis
Taking cuttings for chemical
analysis
Assessing plant population
distribution
Monoclonal antibodies
(5 marks)
Medium Questions
1 (a) Plants can be infected by a range of pathogens.
Aphids are small insects that feed on plant sugars and carry pathogens.
Figure 1 shows part of a plant infested with aphids.
Figure 1
Plants infested with aphids show signs of reduced growth.
Suggest and explain one reason why.
(2 marks)
(b) It is common for plants infested with aphids to show signs of magnesium deficiency.
Describe and explain the symptoms displayed by a plant with a magnesium deficiency.
(4 marks)
(c) Plants have methods of protecting themselves from attack.
One such method is the production of oils by cells on the surface of leaves.
Suggest two ways that the production of oil might protect a plant from being attacked.
(2 marks)
(d) Higher Tier Only

A number of plants in a garden are infected with a pathogen.
Give two ways of identifying the pathogen that is infecting the plants in the garden.
(2 marks)
2 (a) Explain how different types of organism defend themselves against microorganisms.
(6 marks)
(b) The image in Figure 1 shows the specialised ciliated cells and goblet cells which line the
trachea and bronchi of the airways.
Figure 1
Explain how these cells help to protect an individual from harmful pathogens.
(4 marks)
3 (a) Figure 1 shows the antibody concentrations in a mouse after the first and second
injections of the same antigens.
Compare the antibody response after the first injection with the antibody response after
the second injection.
(2 marks)
(b) Describe the role played by phagocytes in the body's defences against pathogens.
(2 marks)
(c) Meningitis B and meningitis C are caused by bacteria.
Figure 2 shows the number of cases of meningitis B and meningitis C in England

between 1999 and 2004.
Figure 2
(i) Use Figure 2 to calculate the change in the total number of cases of meningitis in
1999 compared with 2004.
(2)
(ii) Immunisation against meningitis C was introduced in 1999.
Describe the effects the immunisation had on the number of cases of both types of
meningitis.
(2)
(4 marks)
4 Most cases of scarlet fever occur in children.
Adults have usually developed immunity to a toxin that the Streptococcus bacteria
produce during infection.
Explain how an adult develops immunity to the toxin.
(3 marks)
5 Explain how plants protect themselves from being eaten by pests and against diseases
caused by pathogens.
(6 marks)
6 Clostridium tetani is a bacterium that can be found in soil.
It causes the infection tetanus.
Children are vaccinated against tetanus.
Explain why these children do not get tetanus if the bacteria enter their body through a
cut in the skin.
(3 marks)
7 Describe how the physical barriers and chemical defences of the human body provide
protection from diseases.
(6 marks)
Hard Questions
1 (a) Higher Tier Only
A gardener notices that the leaves of one of his rose plants are falling off and those
remaining on the plants are covered in black and purple spots with some areas of decay.
(i) Identify the cause of the symptoms and explain the effect it has on the growth of
the plant.
(4)
(ii) Figure 1 shows the arrangement of rose plants in the gardener's garden.
Figure 1
The infected plant is labelled I.
The gardener decides to move the plants labelled A and B to the other side of the
garden (the area labelled X) to try and prevent the infection from spreading.
He decides not to use a fungicide.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the gardener's decisions in controlling the spread of

the infection amongst the plants.
(4)
(8 marks)
(b) Witch hazel is a plant that produces oil as part of its defence against pathogens.
Many skincare companies extract the oil to use in consumer products.
The oil prevents bacteria from attacking the plant but is safe to use in skincare products.
Suggest an explanation for why these oils are safe and effective for use in skincare
products.
(3 marks)
(c) Scientists working for a skincare company investigated how effective three different
plant oils were at preventing the growth of one strain of E. coli bacteria.
Figure 2 shows their results.
Figure 2
Evaluate the effectiveness of the three plant oils.
(4 marks)
2 (a) Chickenpox is a contagious childhood disease. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus
(VZV) and is characterised by the development of an itchy rash as seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1
Children are advised to avoid scratching the area as much as possible to prevent
breaking the skin and forming lesions. This is important as lesions in the skin can lead to
the development of secondary skin infections.
(i) Explain how lesions in the skin could lead to the development of secondary skin
infections in children.
(3)
Cellulitis is an example of a secondary infection of the skin which results in
swelling, redness and pain of the tissues in the deeper layers of skin. It can be
treated by the use of antibiotics.
(ii) Explain why antibiotics can be used to treat cellulitis caused as a result of
chickenpox, but would not be effective in treating the varicella itself.
(2)
(5 marks)
(b) Chickenpox is a childhood illness which usually individuals would experience just once in
a lifetime.
Explain why this is.
(4 marks)
(c) There is a vaccination available for protection against chickenpox. It works by triggering a
similar response to that discussed in part (b) in order to ensure that the patient would
not get ill if they came into contact with the varicella-zoster virus.
(i) Explain how the vaccine would protect an individual from being infected with the
varicella-zoster virus.
(3)
(ii) In England, the chickenpox virus is not given as a standard vaccination to children,
however, some parents may choose to pay to get their children vaccinated
privately.
Evaluate the decision not to give the vaccine as standard to children in England.
(4)
(7 marks)
3 (a) Describe two features of the human respiratory system that help to defend the body
against diseases, and explain how they carry out their function.
(4 marks)
(b) Hypochlorhydria is a condition where the stomach acid is above pH 3.
Suggest why people who suffer from hypochlorhydria may be more likely to develop
bacterial infections in the small intestine.
(2 marks)
(c) (i) Consuming food contaminated with bacteria can lead to cases of food poisoning.
State and explain two things you should do while preparing food to reduce the risk
of food poisoning.
(4)
(ii) The graph in Figure 1 shows the sources of food poisoning cases in the UK from
2010-2014.
Figure 1
One student concluded that avoiding consuming animal food products would
prevent cases of food poisoning. This would include meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.
Using information from the graph in Figure 1, and your own knowledge, evaluate
this conclusion.
(4)
(8 marks)
4 (a) Typhoid is a communicable disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi.
(i) Bacteria are a type of pathogen.
Name one other type of pathogen.

(1)
(ii) Typhoid is spread through contaminated water and food.
Suggest why typhoid is more prevalent in developing countries.

(2)
(3 marks)
(b) The graph in Figure 1 shows the number of cases of typhoid and monthly rainfall in
Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is estimated that there are around 4 million people living in
deprived urban areas in Dhaka.
(i) Suggest an explanation for the pattern shown in the graph in Figure 1.
Figure 1
(2)
(ii) In the UK, typhoid vaccination is offered to people travelling to parts of the world
where the condition is common.
Explain why tourists in Bangladesh who have been vaccinated would not develop
typhoid even if they become infected with the typhoid pathogen by drinking
contaminated water.
(3)
(5 marks)
5 (a) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks and destroys white blood
cells.
(i) Explain why HIV cannot be treated with antibiotics.

(2)
(ii) HIV can develop into AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). This can
happen when the white blood cell count drops below a certain number. CD4 is a
protein found on the surface of some types of white blood cells.
Figure 1 shows how the CD4 count in a blood sample for HIV positive individuals
compares to HIV negative individuals.
Figure 1
Suggest and explain why HIV positive individuals are more prone to develop AIDS
and may risk dying from secondary infections. You should include information
about the immune response in your answer. Use data from Figure 1 and your own
knowledge in your answer.
(5)
(7 marks)
(b) A scientist analysed the data in Figure 1 and concluded that “All HIV patients will develop
AIDS”.
Suggest two reasons this conclusion may not be correct.
(2 marks)
(c) Viruses can undergo genetic mutations which cause proteins on their surface to change.
Explain why a person who has previously been vaccinated against a virus may become
infected in the future.
(3 marks)

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GCSE Edexcel Biology 2 hours 17 questions

5.2 Defence Against

Easy (5 questions) /37 Scan here for your answers

Hard (5 questions) /65

Total Marks /148

(ii) The spread of measles is prevented by herd immunity.

Describe herd immunity.

What is the name of organelle X?

(ii) Use words from the box to complete the sentences.

gas haemoglobin hormone

liquid platelet solid

Red blood cells contain the substance .......................................

Blood plasma is a ......................................

(b) Figure 2 shows a white blood cell on a 100 μm scale.

State the width of the white blood cell.

(c) Figure 1 shows human blood seen using a light microscope.

Identify structures A and B in Figure 1.

State the name of these cells.

(b) Separate: Biology Only

What category of adaptation does this feature fall into?

Pick one option:

(c) Separate: Biology Only

(d) Separate: Biology Only

(c) Separate: Biology Only

Higher Tier Only

Identifying plant diseases based solely on symptoms can be challenging because:

☐ A Symptoms are always unique to a specific disease

(d) Separate: Biology Only

Higher Tier Only

Figure 1 shows part of a plant infested with aphids.

Plants infested with aphids show signs of reduced growth.

Suggest and explain one reason why.

(c) Plants have methods of protecting themselves from attack.

(d) Higher Tier Only

(c) Meningitis B and meningitis C are caused by bacteria.

Figure 2 shows the number of cases of meningitis B and meningitis C in England

4 Most cases of scarlet fever occur in children.

Explain how an adult develops immunity to the toxin.

6 Clostridium tetani is a bacterium that can be found in soil.

It causes the infection tetanus.

Children are vaccinated against tetanus.

He decides not to use a fungicide.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the gardener's decisions in controlling the spread of

Many skincare companies extract the oil to use in consumer products.

Figure 2 shows their results.

Explain why this is.

(b) Hypochlorhydria is a condition where the stomach acid is above pH 3.

(i) Bacteria are a type of pathogen.

Name one other type of pathogen.

(ii) Typhoid is spread through contaminated water and food.

Suggest why typhoid is more prevalent in developing countries.

(i) Explain why HIV cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Suggest two reasons this conclusion may not be correct.

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