Feeling overwhelmed by HSC Biology Module 7 questions and its pathogens, immune responses, and disease control? 🦠
Don’t stress— I’ve spent years helping students turn this complex content into clear, exam-ready answers, and I’m here to help you do the same!
I’ve curated 20 must-know Module 7: Infectious Disease practice questions and will break down mark allocation using NESA guidelines, so you know exactly where to score marks.
Plus, be sure to download my comprehensive worked solutions where I’ll highlight common mistakes to avoid and exclusive examples to push your responses into the Band 6 range ✅
Need some additional support tackling Module 7: Infectious Disease? Let our experienced HSC Biology Tutors support your studies at our Campuses in Hornsby, Chatswood or the Hills, at your home or online.
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How Our Biology Module 7 Practice Questions Work
Causes of Infectious Disease
Responses to Pathogens
Immunity
Prevention, Treatment and Control
Worked Solutions
How Our Biology Module 7 Practice Questions Work
This compilation of HSC Biology Module 7 practice questions will include:
- Difficulty ratings for each question
- Bands 2-3: ⭐
- Bands 4-5: ⭐⭐
- Band 6: ⭐⭐⭐
- Band 6 Challenge: ⭐⭐⭐ 🔥
- The relevant syllabus dot point (so you can do some content-specific revision or practice)
- A ‘hints’ section complete with a check-list to support you in answering the questions
- Full worked solutions
(And of course, be sure to read the full thing because these are packed with insider tips and tricks to acing the questions)
Causes of Infectious Disease
Inquiry question: How are diseases transmitted?
Question 1 ⭐️
Which of the following best defines a vector in the context of disease transmission? (1 mark)
a) The process by which a disease is spread
b) An organism that spreads a pathogen
c) A virus responsible for disease spread
d) A bacterial pathogen that causes disease
Question 2 ⭐️⭐️
What is the primary mode of transmission for a vector-borne disease like malaria? (1 mark)
a) Airborne transmission through droplets
b) Direct contact with infected bodily fluids
c) The bite of an infected mosquito
d) Indirect contact through contaminated surfaces
Question 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Explain the difference between direct and indirect contact transmission of infectious diseases, and provide examples of each. (4 marks)
Question 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Koch’s postulates have been crucial in identifying the cause of infectious diseases. Discuss how these postulates are applied to link a pathogen to a specific disease. (5 marks)
Question 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
Discuss how advances in molecular techniques, such as PCR and DNA sequencing, have enhanced our understanding of pathogen transmission compared to traditional methods like Koch’s postulates. (6 marks)
Responses to Pathogens
Inquiry question: How does a plant or animal respond to infection?
Question 6 ⭐️
Which of the following best describes the term “phagocytosis”? (1 mark)
a) Production of antibodies to neutralize pathogens
b) Engulfing and destruction of foreign particles or microorganisms
c) Activation of T cells to initiate an immune response
d) A process where pathogens multiply within the body
Question 7 ⭐️⭐️
Explain how the skin acts as a physical barrier to pathogens in the human immune system. (3 marks)
Question 8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mast cells release histamines when a pathogen breaches the first line of defense. Explain the role of histamines in the inflammatory response and how this contributes to immune defense. (4 marks)
Question 9 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Describe the key differences between the innate and adaptive immune systems in terms of their response to pathogens. (5 marks)
Question 10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
Assess the effectiveness of innate immunity versus adaptive immunity in providing long-term protection against pathogens. Include a discussion on how both systems work together in response to an infection. 6 marks)
Immunity
Inquiry question: How does the human immune system respond to exposure to a pathogen?
Question 11 ⭐️
Which of the following best describes the function of T-helper cells in the immune response? (1 mark)
a) Attack and destroy infected cells
b) Initiate the inflammatory response
c) Activate other immune cells, including B cells and cytotoxic T cells
d) Produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens
Question 12 ⭐️⭐️
Explain the role of antibodies in humoral immunity and how they help protect the body from subsequent infections by the same pathogen. (4 marks)
Question 13 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Compare and contrast the roles of T cells and B cells in the adaptive immune response. In your answer, describe their specific functions and interactions during the immune response. (5 marks)
Question 14 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Explain the role of cytokines in coordinating the immune response to a pathogen. In your answer, describe how cytokines influence the activity of T cells, B cells, and other immune cells during the response. (5 marks)
Question 15 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
Evaluate the significance of the memory response in adaptive immunity. How does it provide long-lasting immunity to previously encountered pathogens, and how is this principle applied in vaccines? (6 marks)
Prevention, Treatment and Control
Inquiry question: How can the spread of infectious diseases be controlled?
Question 16 ⭐️
Which of the following best describes how vaccines work to prevent infectious diseases? (1 mark)
a) They kill pathogens directly
b) They stimulate the body to produce antibodies and memory cells
c) They increase the body’s inflammatory response
d) They physically block pathogen entry
Question 17 ⭐️⭐️
Explain how quarantine measures help control the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in the context of international travel. (3 marks)
Question 18 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Discuss the role of antibiotics in controlling bacterial infections. Explain how the overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance and the implications for future disease control. (5 marks)
Question 19 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Assess the effectiveness of health promotion initiatives in controlling the spread of infectious diseases. In your response, discuss how these initiatives influence public behavior and provide two specific examples of successful health campaigns. (4 marks)
Question 20 ⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
Assess the effectiveness of global biosecurity measures, such as the confiscation of high-risk imported goods, in preventing the spread of pandemics. Consider the challenges and limitations of these measures in your response. (6 marks)
Worked Solutions
And that wraps up our 20 HSC Biology Module 7 questions – Good luck!
On the hunt for other HSC Biology practice questions aside from Module 7: Infectious Disease?
Check out some other practice questions below:
- 25 HSC Biology Module 5: Heredity Practice Questions
- 20 HSC Biology Module 6: Genetic Change Practice Questions
- HSC Biology Practice Questions for Module 8: Non-infectious Disease and Disorders
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Kat Jankiewicz is an expert HSC Biology Class Teacher and Tutor at Art of Smart Education, with over 3 years experience. She completed her HSC in 2020, scoring a Band 6 in Biology. She is now passionate about helping her own students excel in this subject, and her enthusiasm for the sciences led her to pursue a double degree in Science and French at the University of Sydney.
