Bacterial and viral diseases in humans: Salmonella and influenza
I can describe examples of common bacterial and viral diseases in humans, how they are spread, and ways to reduce the spread.
Bacterial and viral diseases in humans: Salmonella and influenza
I can describe examples of common bacterial and viral diseases in humans, how they are spread, and ways to reduce the spread.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Some, but not all, bacteria are pathogens that can cause communicable diseases in humans.
- Pathogenic bacteria produce toxins that damage living tissue and cause disease.
- Salmonella food poisoning as an example of a bacterial disease, how it is spread, and how the spread can be reduced.
- Viruses invade cells to reproduce where they cause damage to cells.
- Influenza as an example of a viral disease, how it is spread, and how the spread can be reduced.
Keywords
Bacteria - single celled prokaryote.
Pathogen - a micro-organism that causes disease.
Communicable disease - a disease that can be spread from person to person.
Toxin - a poison made by bacteria.
Virus - an infectious agent.
Common misconception
Viruses are alive.
Viruses do not carry out many of the life processes required for living organisms such as respiration and reproduction.
Equipment
None required.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
can be passed from person to person
cannot be spread from person to person
A micro-organism that causes disease.
An infectious agent.
A single celled prokaryote.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Spread by consuming contaminated food and water.
Spread through mucus droplets when coughing and sneezing.