3.1.1 Communicable diseasesDefinition
Question
Define a pathogen and give the four types.
Answer
Microorganisms that cause infectious disease.
The four types are bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi.
Pathogens may infect plants or animals.
AQA GCSE Biology flashcards: Topic 3 Infection and Response
Every mark-scheme key word, marking point and examiner trap for Topic 3 Infection and Response, written by an AQA Biology specialist. The bold words are the exact words that earn the marks.
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3.1.1 Communicable diseasesApplication
Question
Explain how bacteria make us feel ill.
Answer
- Bacteria reproduce rapidly inside the body
- Bacteria produce toxins, which are poisons, that damage cells
3.1.1 Communicable diseasesApplication
Question
Explain how viruses make us feel ill.
Answer
- Viruses live and replicate rapidly inside cells
- Causing cell damage, for example the cell bursts
What is inside
84 cards covering 13 topics, each written to the AQA mark scheme. Cards are tagged as definitions, marking points, applications or examiner traps, and the bold words are the exact key words that earn the marks.
- 3.1.1 Communicable diseases
- 3.1.2 Viral diseases
- 3.1.3 Bacterial diseases
- 3.1.4 Fungal diseases
- 3.1.5 Protist diseases
- 3.1.6 Human defence systems
- 3.1.7 Vaccination
- 3.1.8 Antibiotics and painkillers
- 3.1.9 Discovery and development of drugs
- 3.2.1 Producing monoclonal antibodies (HT only)
- 3.2.2 Uses of monoclonal antibodies (HT only)
- 3.3.1 Detection and identification of plant diseases (Biology only)
- 3.3.2 Plant defence responses (Biology only)
Who it is for
These flashcards are for AQA GCSE Biology students who want the exact mark-scheme wording for Topic 3, rather than vague definitions that drop marks. They suit both Combined Science (Trilogy) and separate Biology students, and both Foundation and Higher tiers, with the Higher-tier and Biology-only cards clearly flagged.
How access works
The first three cards are free to read on this page. To unlock the full deck, buy it once for £4.99. This is a one-time payment, not a subscription.
Access is then permanent and works on any device you sign in on, using the same account as Phlo AI. Payment is handled securely by Stripe.
Frequently asked questions
Is this deck for the AQA specification?
Yes. It is written specifically for AQA GCSE Biology (8461) and the Biology content of Combined Science: Trilogy (8464), Topic 3 Infection and Response, with every card matched to the mark scheme. It is not affiliated with AQA.
What does it cover?
All of Topic 3: communicable diseases, viral, bacterial, fungal and protist diseases, human defences, vaccination, antibiotics and painkillers, drug discovery and trials, monoclonal antibodies, and plant diseases and defences. There are 84 cards, with the Higher-tier (monoclonal antibodies) and Biology-only (plant disease) cards clearly flagged.
Do I get lifetime access?
Yes. It is a one-time payment, not a subscription. Once you buy the deck you keep access permanently on any device you sign in on.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. The viewer is built mobile-first, so you can flip, shuffle and filter cards on your phone, which is how most students revise.
Can I try it before I buy?
Yes. The first three cards are free to read on this page. Buy once to unlock all 84.
How is this different from a textbook?
Every bold word is an exact mark-scheme key word that earns a mark, and the examiner traps flag the mistakes that lose them. It is written to be revised, not read.