Year 11 / Infectious disease and epidemiology
Stop the pathogen at the gate.
Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists. Their biology affects how they reproduce and how disease is treated. Transmission may occur through droplets, contact, food, water or vectors.
Skin and mucous membranes are first-line barriers. If a pathogen enters tissue, inflammation recruits immune cells and phagocytes engulf material. These innate responses act broadly, before a specific adaptive response develops.
First-line defence
Explore: Choose a transmission route and watch which barrier or response acts first.
A virus crosses a damaged skin barrier.
- Inflammation increases blood flow and immune-cell recruitment.
- Phagocytes and later antigen-specific cells help control infection.
Assumed knowledge
Cell types and infection.
Learning checkpoints & source
YOUR LEARNING CHECKPOINT- Compare pathogen types and transmission routes.
- Link barriers and innate responses to infection control.
READY TO TRY IT?