Bacterial Diseases (Salmonella, Gonorrhoea) and Protist Diseases (Malaria)

This lesson covers the named bacterial and protist diseases required by the AQA GCSE Combined Science Trilogy specification (8464): salmonella and gonorrhoea (bacterial), and malaria (protist). You need to know the pathogen, symptoms, transmission, and prevention or treatment of each.

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How Bacteria Cause Disease — Recap

Bacteria are prokaryotic cells that reproduce rapidly by binary fission. They cause disease by:

1. Reproducing rapidly inside the body, competing with host cells for nutrients and space
2. Producing toxins — poisonous chemicals that damage cells and tissues, causing symptoms such as fever, inflammation and vomiting

Exam Tip: Always say bacteria produce "toxins" rather than "poisons" or "chemicals" — the mark scheme specifically looks for the word toxins.

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1. Salmonella