⚡ Show all reasoning — the AI marks against the AQA mark scheme. Partial credit for correct biology even if wording differs.
1 markPathogen typeAQA 8461 style
Malaria is caused by which type of pathogen?
A Virus
B Bacteria
C Fungus
D Protist
1 markAntibioticsAQA 8461 style
Why are antibiotics ineffective against viral infections?
A Viruses are too small for antibiotics to work on
B Antibiotics work on bacterial cell processes (e.g. cell wall synthesis) which viruses do not have
C Antibiotics are always destroyed by the immune system
D Viruses are protected by the host cell
3 marksPhysical defencesAQA 8461 P1 style
Describe THREE ways the human body prevents pathogens from entering or surviving inside it, before the immune system responds. (3 marks)
Hint: Think about barriers that stop entry (skin, mucus/cilia) and defences that kill pathogens that do get in (stomach acid, lysozyme).
+30 XP
4 marksImmune responseAQA 8461 style
Explain how lymphocytes protect the body against a specific pathogen, and why a second infection with the same pathogen produces a faster response. (4 marks)
Hint: Cover: recognition → antibody production → action of antibodies → memory cells → faster secondary response.
+40 XP
1 markMemory cellsAQA 8461 style
Why do memory cells allow a faster immune response to a second infection?
A They produce antitoxins rather than antibodies
B They are already programmed to produce the specific antibody and are present in large numbers, ready to divide rapidly
C They destroy the pathogen by phagocytosis before antibodies are needed
D They prevent the pathogen from reproducing inside cells