What is it
Students learn the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases, how pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) cause infection and spread, and how the body's immune system and vaccination defend against disease.
Why it matters
Understanding how disease actually spreads and how vaccines work is essential scientific literacy for everyday life, and it's tested in depth again at GCSE with quantitative detail.
Exam tip
Be able to name at least one example disease caused by a bacterium, a virus and a fungus — 'name and describe' questions expect a real named example, not just the category.
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