Differences between infectious and non-infectious disease
I can describe some common infectious and non-infectious diseases and their causes.
Differences between infectious and non-infectious disease
I can describe some common infectious and non-infectious diseases and their causes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Infectious diseases can be passed from one organism to another.
- Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens including viruses and some bacteria.
- Some lifestyle factors are linked to non-infectious diseases.
- Non-infectious diseases cannot be passed from one organism to another.
Keywords
Infectious - Can be spread from organism to organism.
Disease - A persistent deviation from a person’s normal appearance, body function or behaviour.
Pathogen - A virus, bacterium or other microorganism that causes disease.
Viruses - Non-living infectious agents that can replicate inside a host cell.
Bacteria - Unicellular microorganisms that do not have a cell nucleus.
Common misconception
Non-infectious diseases such as heart disease can be passed from person to person.
Only infectious diseases caused by pathogens can spread from person to person.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Differences between infectious and non-infectious disease, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Differences between infectious and non-infectious disease, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Disease and drugs unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
the site of gas exchange
pumps blood around the body
transports oxygen to cells and carbon dioxide to the lungs
Exit quiz
6 Questions
bacteria
virus
fungus