Year 9 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 12
Apply Worksheet
Learning Goals
Odd one out
Circle the item that does not belong in each group. Then explain why it doesn't fit in the answer column.
| # | Group | Your answer (odd one + reason) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virus Bacterium Fungus Antibiotic | |
| 2 | Skin Mucus Cilia Antibody | |
| 3 | Measles Chickenpox Influenza Tetanus | |
| 4 | Herd immunity Quarantine Vaccination Chemotherapy | |
| 5 | Penicillin Amoxicillin Oseltamivir Vancomycin |
COVID-19 synthesis scenario
Read the scenario, then answer each structured response box using the sentence starter provided.
Real-world context
COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that emerged in late 2019 and became a global pandemic. By mid-2021, Australia had administered mRNA vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna) to millions of people as part of its national rollout. Antibiotic prescriptions did not form part of the core COVID-19 treatment, but antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid were later approved for high-risk patients.
(1) Identify the pathogen type and explain one key feature that distinguishes it from bacteria.
Sentence starter: "SARS-CoV-2 is a virus, which means it…"
(2) Describe the main transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 and explain one public health measure that targets this route.
Sentence starter: "The main transmission route is…, so one public health measure was…"
(3) Explain how the first-line defences respond when SARS-CoV-2 enters the respiratory tract.
Sentence starter: "When the virus enters the nose and airways, the first-line defences…"
(4) Explain how COVID-19 vaccines worked to protect individuals and contribute to herd immunity.
Sentence starter: "The mRNA vaccines worked by… and contributed to herd immunity because…"
(5) Explain why antibiotics were not an effective treatment for COVID-19 but antivirals like Paxlovid were developed.
Sentence starter: "Antibiotics were not effective because… whereas antivirals work by…"
1. A population has 80% vaccination coverage against measles (R₀ ≈ 15). Is this above or below the herd immunity threshold? Explain what this means for unvaccinated individuals in the community.
2. Compare the body's response to a bacterial infection versus a viral infection. In your answer, refer to at least two lines of defence and explain why the treatment approach differs.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the most important connection you made between concepts in this worksheet?