Practise 28 exam-style questions on Protist diseases for AQA GCSE Biology. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
28 questions
1–4 marks each
Instant marking
No sign-up needed
20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
2 marks
Why do malaria infections often cause recurrent episodes of fever?
Model answer
Synchronous bursting of infected red blood cells releases merozoites and parasite waste/toxins which trigger fever; repeated asexual cycles cause periodic fevers.
Explanation
When Plasmodium-filled red blood cells burst, they release parasites and toxic substances which provoke the immune system and fever. The asexual replication in cycles causes these fever episodes to recur.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Rupture/bursting of infected red blood cells releases parasites and toxins
Accept release of merozoites/parasite waste or toxins.
1 mark
This triggers immune response/fever and repeated cycles cause recurrent episodes
Link to periodic nature of asexual replication cycles.
Question 2
2 marks
State two reasons why environmental management (e.g., drainage) must be applied carefully when controlling mosquito breeding.
Model answer
May damage ecosystems and non-target species; can displace breeding to other sites if not complete and may affect livelihoods (fisheries, agriculture).
Explanation
Drainage and habitat alteration can harm wildlife and change ecosystem balance, and if not done thoroughly mosquitoes may simply breed elsewhere; such interventions can also affect people's livelihoods.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Environmental damage to ecosystems / non-target species
Accept biodiversity loss or habitat destruction.
1 mark
Socioeconomic impacts or displacement of breeding sites / may be ineffective if incomplete
Accept impacts on fisheries, agriculture or livelihoods.
Question 3
3 marks
Describe how community education can help reduce malaria transmission.
Model answer
Education promotes use and correct maintenance of bed nets, encourages removal of standing water and proper use of repellents/spraying, and increases uptake of diagnosis and treatment reducing parasite reservoir.
Explanation
Community education improves behaviours such as consistent net use, environmental management to limit breeding, and early healthcare seeking for diagnosis and treatment—these reduce both mosquito numbers and human parasite reservoirs.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Encourages correct use and maintenance of bed nets
Accept net repair and sleeping under nets.
1 mark
Promotes environmental actions like removing standing water to reduce breeding
Accept larval control activities.
1 mark
Encourages prompt diagnosis/treatment and acceptance of spraying which reduces parasite reservoir and vector numbers
Any combination of community actions reducing transmission supported.
Question 4
4 marks
A traveller is prescribed prophylactic antimalarial drugs before visiting an endemic area. Explain how prophylaxis reduces the risk of clinical malaria.
Model answer
Prophylactic drugs are taken before and during exposure to kill liver-stage parasites or blood-stage parasites; they prevent multiplication and establishment of infection, reducing chance of symptomatic disease; reduce parasite load so immune system can clear infection.
Explanation
Prophylactic antimalarials kill parasites early in the liver or blood stages and prevent parasite multiplication, so infection cannot establish or reach levels that cause symptoms. Lower parasite loads also make immune clearance more effective.
Mark scheme
1 mark
Drugs taken prophylactically kill parasites at liver/blood stages before they multiply
Accept prevention of schizogony/merozoite multiplication.
1 mark
Prevents establishment of infection or progression to high parasitaemia
Accept reduced parasite burden.
1 mark
Reduces chance of symptomatic disease (clinical malaria)
Link to prevention of fever and severe disease.
1 mark
Gives time for immune response or reduces burden so host clears parasites
Accept idea of suppression allowing immune clearance.
Ready to try the rest? Every answer you write is marked against the mark scheme, so you can see exactly where the marks are.
Ctrl + Enter to check
AI TutorHints first, answers after you try
Hi! Stuck? Ask me for a hint and I’ll help you work it out. Once you’ve checked your answer I can explain exactly where the marks are.
