What this topic covers
Topic 5: Health, disease and the development of medicines has 4 subtopics:
- Communicable diseases
- Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
- Plant disease (biology only)
- Additional disease and immunity anchors
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GCSE Edexcel Foundation Biology · Topic 5 of 9
Topic 5: Health, disease and the development of medicines – GCSE Edexcel Foundation Biology revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Health, pathogens, immunity, medicines and monoclonal antibodies. 34 lessons in 4 subtopics.
Revise Topic 5: Health, disease and the development of medicines for GCSE Edexcel Foundation Biology, including Communicable diseases.
34
Lessons
4
Subtopics
Topic 5: Health, disease and the development of medicines lessons by subtopic
34 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Communicable diseases
- Types of Pathogens and How They Spread
- How Pathogens Cause Disease
- Preventing the Spread of Disease
- Common Viral Diseases
- Food Poisoning - Salmonella Infection
- Sexually Transmitted Infections - Gonorrhoea
- Rose Black Spot Disease
- Malaria: A Protist Disease
- Physical Barriers Against Pathogens
- The Immune System Response
- How Vaccination Works
- Individual and Population Protection Through Vaccination
- How Antibiotics Work and Their Limitations
- Treating Symptoms vs Killing Pathogens
- Sources of medicines and their discovery
- Testing new medicines: from laboratory to clinic
- Clinical trials and finding the right dose
Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
- Understanding Coronary Heart Disease and Its Treatments
- Heart Valve Problems and Heart Failure Solutions
- Evaluating Cardiovascular Disease Treatments
- Understanding Health and Disease Interactions
- Immune System Problems and Allergic Reactions
- Analysing Disease Data and Epidemiology
- Risk Factors and Lifestyle Effects on Health (Part 1/2)
- Risk Factors and Lifestyle Effects on Health (Part 2/2)
- The Impact and Data Analysis of Non-Communicable Diseases
- Understanding Cancer and Tumour Types
- Cancer Risk Factors
Plant disease (biology only)
- Recognising Plant Disease Symptoms
- Mineral Deficiencies in Plants
- Physical Defence Responses in Plants
- Chemical Defence Responses in Plants
Additional disease and immunity anchors
More in this course
Go back to the full GCSE Edexcel Foundation Biology topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Topic 5: Health, disease and the development of medicines?
Health, pathogens, immunity, medicines and monoclonal antibodies. 34 lessons in 4 subtopics.
What are the symptoms of Salmonella?
The symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning are fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. The Food Poisoning - Salmonella Infection notes cover this in full.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
The main symptoms of gonorrhoea are a thick yellow or green discharge from the vagina or penis and pain or a burning sensation when urinating, and in some cases pelvic pain or swollen testicles. The Sexually Transmitted Infections - Gonorrhoea notes cover this in full.
What is COPD?
COPD is the collective name for emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The Risk Factors and Lifestyle Effects on Health (Part 1/2) notes cover this in full.
What are the side effects of statins?
Statins can cause side effects such as muscle pain. The Evaluating Cardiovascular Disease Treatments notes cover this in full.
What is a pathogen?
A pathogen is a microorganism that causes infectious disease. The Types of Pathogens and How They Spread notes cover this in full.
Who discovered penicillin?
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by accident in 1928, when a mould killed bacteria in his petri dish. The How Antibiotics Work and Their Limitations notes cover this in full.
How long do antibiotics take to work?
Antibiotics take 24-48 hours to work, while painkillers work immediately. The Treating Symptoms vs Killing Pathogens notes cover this in full.
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease caused by changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and division. The Understanding Cancer and Tumour Types notes cover this in full.