Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Biology · key term
An organism from a diverse group of eukaryotes that are usually single-celled; some protists cause disease.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.3.1.5 · Paper 1
A eukaryotic organism, usually consisting of a single cell; some protists cause disease.
Revise: Protist DiseasesProtists are eukaryotic organisms and are usually single-celled. Only some are pathogens. Malaria is caused by malarial protists belonging to the genus Plasmodium.
Specification 5.4, 5.5 · Paper 1
Revise: PathogensMany bacteria, fungi and protists are harmless, and some are useful. Only those that cause disease are pathogens.
An organism in a varied group of mostly single-celled organisms; some, including malaria parasites, cause disease.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A disease-causing single-celled organism belonging to the protist group.
Revise: Common InfectionsThe pathogen may be a virus, bacterium, fungus or protist. Infection can damage cells or interfere with normal body functions, producing symptoms. Symptoms do not always appear immediately: during the incubation period, a person is infected but may not yet feel or look ill.
Do not call the mosquito the pathogen: the malarial protist is the pathogen, while the mosquito is the vector.
Do not say that every bacterium, fungus or protist causes disease; many are harmless or beneficial.
If asked to name the types of pathogen, give all four: viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists.
Create a free account to read GCSE Biology revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.