Year 9 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 14
Apply Worksheet
Learning Goals
Odd one out
Circle the item that does not belong in each group. Then explain why it doesn't fit.
| # | Group | Your answer (odd one + reason) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skin Mucus membranes Antibodies Cilia | |
| 2 | Penicillin Amoxicillin Oseltamivir Tetracycline | |
| 3 | Cystic fibrosis Mesothelioma Type 2 diabetes Influenza | |
| 4 | Quarantine Contact tracing Chemotherapy Vaccination programs |
Real-world context
In late 2023, NSW Health detected an unusual cluster of severe respiratory illness in south-west Queensland, near Toowoomba. Initial blood tests showed no match to known pathogens. Patients had fever, persistent cough, and progressive lung damage. Within two weeks, 14 cases had been reported and three patients required intensive care. Epidemiologists were called in to investigate while clinicians worked to identify the causative agent.
(a) Using Koch's postulates, describe the steps investigators would need to follow to confirm this is a new infectious disease caused by a previously unknown pathogen.
(b) If the pathogen proves to be airborne, describe which lines of defence the body would activate and what each line would do.
(c) Describe TWO public health responses Queensland Health should implement immediately, and explain the scientific reasoning behind each.
1. Explain why antibiotic resistance is a threat to public health. Describe how natural selection leads to resistant bacteria.
2. What is the difference between incidence rate and a raw case count? Why does this distinction matter when comparing disease burden between cities of different sizes?
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?