Year 10 Biology: Viral and Bacterial Diseases: Communicable Diseases

Introduction to Communicable Diseases

Hello everyone! Today, we are going to learn about communicable diseases. These are diseases that can be spread from person to person. They can be caused by tiny germs called pathogens. The two main types of pathogens we will focus on are viruses and bacteria.

What are Viruses?

Viruses are tiny particles that can only reproduce inside the living cells of another organism. They are much smaller than bacteria and need a host (like a human or animal) to survive.

Examples of Viral Diseases:

• Flu (Influenza): This is a common sickness that makes people cough, sneeze, and feel tired.
• Chickenpox: It causes itchy spots all over the body.
• COVID-19: A recent virus that can cause breathing problems and fever.

What are Bacteria?

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can live in many places, including inside our bodies. Not all bacteria are bad; some are helpful!

Examples of Bacterial Diseases:

• Strep Throat: A throat infection that can cause pain and fever.
• Tuberculosis (TB): A serious disease that affects the lungs.
• Food Poisoning: Caused by harmful bacteria in undercooked or spoiled food.

How Do These Diseases Spread?

Both viral and bacterial diseases can spread in various ways:

• Air: Coughing or sneezing can release germs into the air.
• Touch: Shaking hands or touching surfaces can transfer germs.
• Food and Water: Eating contaminated food or drinking unclean water can spread bacteria.

Key Rules to Prevent Communicable Diseases

1. Wash Your Hands: Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
2. Cover Your Mouth: When you cough or sneeze, use a tissue or your elbow.
3. Stay Home When Sick: This helps prevent spreading illness to others.
4. Get Vaccinated: Vaccines can help protect you against certain diseases.

Tips and Tricks

• Remember the difference: Viruses need a host; bacteria can live on their own.
• If you see someone coughing and sneezing, keep a safe distance.
• Always practice good hygiene, especially before eating.

Questions

Easy Level Questions

1. What is a communicable disease?
2. Name a viral disease.
3. What do bacteria need to survive?
4. How can viruses spread?
5. What is chickenpox?
6. Give one example of a bacterial disease.
7. What does it mean to wash your hands properly?
8. Why is it important to cover your mouth when you cough?
9. Name one way diseases can spread through food.
10. What is the flu?
11. True or False: All bacteria are harmful.
12. What should you do if you feel sick?
13. Name a way to prevent the spread of germs.
14. What is a host in terms of viruses?
15. Why do we need vaccines?
16. Can bacteria reproduce on their own? Yes or No?
17. What is strep throat?
18. How long should you wash your hands?
19. Why is it important to stay home when sick?
20. Can you catch a cold from touching someone? Yes or No?

Medium Level Questions

1. What is the difference between a virus and a bacterium?
2. Describe how food poisoning can occur.
3. How do vaccines work to protect against diseases?
4. Name two diseases caused by viruses.
5. Explain how bacteria can be both helpful and harmful.
6. What are some symptoms of tuberculosis?
7. How can someone catch COVID-19?
8. Why do some people get the flu every year?
9. What is the role of the immune system in fighting diseases?
10. Can you treat viral infections with antibiotics? Why or why not?
11. How do germs spread through the air?
12. What are the signs of a bacterial infection?
13. Name an example of good hygiene practices.
14. How can you protect yourself from foodborne illnesses?
15. What is the purpose of hand sanitiser?
16. Describe how to properly cover a cough.
17. Why are some diseases more contagious than others?
18. How do you know if you should see a doctor for an illness?
19. What is a pandemic?
20. Why is it important to educate others about communicable diseases?

Hard Level Questions

1. Explain the life cycle of a virus.
2. Describe how bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics.
3. What factors can influence the spread of communicable diseases?
4. Compare and contrast the methods of transmission for viral and bacterial diseases.
5. Discuss the impact of vaccination on public health.
6. How do pathogens interact with the human immune system?
7. What are some long-term effects of communicable diseases?
8. Explain the significance of herd immunity.
9. How do environmental factors affect the spread of diseases?
10. What are the challenges of treating viral infections?
11. Discuss how global travel can influence the spread of diseases.
12. What role do public health organisations play in controlling outbreaks?
13. Describe the symptoms of an upper respiratory bacterial infection.
14. How can understanding the structure of viruses help scientists develop treatments?
15. What ethical considerations are there in vaccine distribution?
16. How do zoonotic diseases spread from animals to humans?
17. Discuss the importance of research in understanding diseases.
18. How can lifestyle choices affect your susceptibility to communicable diseases?
19. What is the role of sanitation in preventing disease spread?
20. Explain how social distancing can help control the spread of infectious diseases.

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

1. A disease that spreads from person to person.
2. Flu.
3. They can live on their own.
4. Through the air when someone coughs or sneezes.
5. A viral infection that causes spots.
6. Strep throat.
7. By using soap and water for 20 seconds.
8. To prevent spreading germs.
9. By eating contaminated food.
10. A viral infection that causes fever and body aches.
11. True.
12. Stay home and rest.
13. Wash your hands.
14. An organism that a virus infects.
15. To help the body fight off specific diseases.
16. Yes.
17. A throat infection caused by bacteria.
18. 20 seconds.
19. To keep others from getting sick.
20. Yes.

Medium Level Answers

1. Viruses need a host; bacteria can live independently.
2. By eating food contaminated with harmful bacteria.
3. They stimulate the immune system to fight off specific pathogens.
4. Flu and COVID-19.
5. Helpful bacteria aid digestion; harmful bacteria can cause infections.
6. Coughing, weight loss, fever.
7. Through respiratory droplets from an infected person.
8. The flu virus changes each year.
9. It helps protect the body from infections.
10. No, antibiotics work against bacteria.
11. Through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes.
12. Redness, swelling, fever.
13. Regularly washing hands and covering coughs.
14. By cooking food thoroughly and avoiding cross-contamination.
15. To kill germs when soap and water aren’t available.
16. Cough into your elbow or use a tissue.
17. Because of factors like transmission speed and virulence.
18. If symptoms worsen or persist.
19. A widespread outbreak affecting many people.
20. To stop the spread of diseases.

Hard Level Answers

1. A virus infects a host cell, replicates, and spreads to new cells.
2. Bacteria can mutate and become resistant to antibiotics.
3. Factors like population density, hygiene, and health care access.
4. Viruses often spread through air; bacteria can spread through contact and food.
5. Vaccination reduces the number of people who can spread the disease.
6. Pathogens can trigger immune responses, aiding in disease control.
7. Some diseases can lead to chronic health issues.
8. It protects those who cannot be vaccinated by reducing overall disease spread.
9. Poor sanitation can lead to outbreaks.
10. They mutate quickly, making treatment difficult.
11. International travel can introduce diseases to new populations.
12. They monitor outbreaks and promote vaccination.
13. Symptoms include sore throat and fever.
14. It aids in creating targeted treatments and vaccines.
15. Equity in access to vaccines is crucial for public health.
16. Through bites, handling animals, or consuming animal products.
17. Research helps identify causes and develop treatments.
18. Poor diet and lack of exercise can weaken immunity.
19. It prevents the spread of germs and infections.
20. Social distancing reduces close contact, lowering transmission rates.

Feel free to ask questions if you need more clarification on any topic!