Year 9 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 12
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Find the mistake
A student wrote this essay about the Disease unit
"Disease can be caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. [1] Both bacteria and viruses are treated the same way with antibiotics, which kill the pathogen and stop the infection. The human body has three lines of defence. [2] The first line of defence includes white blood cells called phagocytes that engulf and destroy pathogens. The second line involves inflammation, fever, and other non-specific responses. Vaccination is an important public health tool, but [3] herd immunity only works if 100% of the population are vaccinated, anything less means the disease will still spread. The immune system's third line of defence is specific. [4] Antibody production is part of the first line of defence because antibodies are released immediately when a pathogen enters the body. Finally, it is important to note that [5] non-infectious diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes can spread between people through close contact, just like infectious diseases."
For each numbered error: (a) identify what is wrong, (b) write the correct statement, and (c) briefly explain why this mistake is easy to make.
Error 1 "Both bacteria and viruses are treated the same way with antibiotics."
What is wrong:
Correct statement:
Why this mistake is easy to make:
Error 2 "The first line of defence includes white blood cells called phagocytes."
What is wrong:
Correct statement:
Why this mistake is easy to make:
Error 3 "Herd immunity only works if 100% of the population are vaccinated."
What is wrong:
Correct statement:
Why this mistake is easy to make:
Error 4 "Antibody production is part of the first line of defence."
What is wrong:
Correct statement:
Why this mistake is easy to make:
Error 5 "Non-infectious diseases can spread between people through close contact."
What is wrong:
Correct statement:
Why this mistake is easy to make:
Wrap Up
Which of the five errors above do you think is the most dangerous misconception for someone to hold in real life? Explain your thinking in one or two sentences.