Question 1
The following are among the diseases recorded in Malaysia
Figure 1
(a) Classify the diseases above into two groups based on their common
characteristics.
Disease
Group 1 Group 2
Flu Diabetes
Zika Hypertension
Chickenpox Cancer
Cholera Heart attack
Tinea
(b) State the characteristics that you have used to perform the classification in 1(a).
Type here: Infectious and non-infectious disease
(c) Based on the list in Figure 1 above, state a disease caused by each of the
following factors:
Fungi Tinea, ringworm
Leptospira bacteria Leptospirosis
Influenza virus Flu
Unhealthy eating habits Diabetes/hypertension/heart attack
(d) Which disease in Figure 1 is included in the immunisation program for babies and
children?
Type here: Chickenpox
Question 2
Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a fatal infectious disease.
(a) Name the pathogen and vector for this disease.
Type here: Dengue virus (DENV1, DENV2, DENV3, DENV4); Aedes
aegypti
(b) Give one other example of disease spread through the same vector of dengue
hemorrhagic fever.
Type here: Zika, chikugunya
(c) Explain the way this disease is spread.
An aedes mosquito carries dengue virus after feeding on an infected
host.
Inside the mosquito, the virus replicates and travels to the salivary
gland.
The virus gets transferred into a healthy host when the mosquito
bites again.
The healthy person is infected and the cycle continues
Question 3
Figure 2 shows a dustbin in a residential area. Predict the effects on the public if this situation
prolongs. Give your reasons.
Figure 2
1. Pest infestation. Overflowing bins can attract flies, rodents, and other pests, which
can spread diseases.
2. Odors. Decomposing waste produces bad smell.
3. Unpleasant look. It makes the area look unhygienic
4. Health risks. Rotting garbage can harbor bacteria, viruses, and fungi, potentially
leading to various illnesses, especially if there's contact with food or water.
Question 4
Figure 3 shows the graph of concentration of antibody in the blood (%) over a period of 40 days.
Figure 3
Based on the graph, answer the following questions.
(a) Explain the reaction of the body against the infection of virus A.
The body reacts by producing antibodies in the blood to fight virus
A.
(b) How long does it take for the body to build antibodies to reach the immunity level
after an infection?
Antibodies production begins on the 12th day of infection, full
immunity achieved on 27th day of infection, so 27 – 12 equates to
around 15 days after the infection.
(c) Give one reason why the antibody level drops after reaching the immunity level.
Once the virus is destroyed, and the body gets immunity against the
virus. The body continues making antibodies and memory B cells for
a couple of weeks after infection. Over time, the antibodies will
gradually disappear, but the memory B cells will remain dormant in
the body for many years.
Question 5
Humans are lucky to have two types of body defense mechanisms, specific defense mechanisms
and non-specific defense mechanisms.
(a) Compare and contrast specific defense mechanisms and non-specific defense
mechanisms.
Similarity: Both mechanisms function to prevent infection of disease.
Difference: Specific defense mechanism attacks certain pathogens, whereas non-
specific defense mechanism attacks all pathogens.
(b) Describe the strategy of:
Specific defense mechanism: Pathogens are destroyed by antibodies produces by
white blood cells
Non-specific defense mechanism: Skin and mucous membrane prevents
microorganisms from entering the body, while pathogens that have successfully
entered the body are destroyed through phagocytosis.
(c) Complete the table below by stating the type of immunity for each case.
Case Type of immunity
(i) Amin is not infected with chickenpox anymore as he Natural active immunity
had been infected with the disease when he was 7
years old.
(ii) Kelvin is not infected with hepatitis B as he has Artificial active
obtained immunisation against the disease. immunity
(iii) A baby gets antibodies from breast milk. Natural passive immunity
(iv) A patient with a hacking cough is injected with the Artificial passive
antibody taken from an individual immune to the immunity
disease.
Question 6
Assume you are a scientist. You are responsible for investigating a case of an infectious disease
that has been spreading in a small town. The plague has caused three fatal cases, and 10 more
people have shown symptoms of infection.
(a) What are the precautionary steps that should be taken before you carry out the
laboratory test to investigate the cause of the plague?
Disrupt the transmission chain through passive case detection (when an
individual with symptom seeks healthcare) and active case detection
(through screening and contact tracing to proactively identify individual at
risk); Providing early treatment to patients and separating patients from
others.
Safety. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves,
goggles and gowns to prevent exposure
(b) List down a few questions that you may ask the infected victims to help you in the
investigation.
Have you traveled anywhere recently or been in contact with someone
who has?
Have you come into contact with any animals or insects?
Did you attend any large gatherings or crowded places recently?
When did the symptoms first appear, and what were they?
Are any of your family members or coworkers showing similar
symptoms?
What activities did you do within the two weeks before the infection?
(Any other answers are accepted)
(c) What are the steps that you can suggest to the residents of the town to protect
those who are not infected yet?
Avoid meeting the patients
Take precautionary steps when meeting the patients like wearing a face
mask to cover the nose and mouth
Improve personal hygiene, and cleanliness of house and environment
Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear
(Any other answers are accepted)
(d) The hospital has decided to impose quarantine on the infected people. Justify the
hospital’s decision.
Quarantine is essential to prevent the spread of the infectious disease to healthy
individuals. It limits the movement of infected people, reducing the risk of
airborne, contact, or droplet transmission. This measure helps protect the
community, gives time for diagnosis and treatment, and supports efforts to contain
the outbreak effectively.
Question 7
A farmer bought three hens and kept them in a chicken coop together with 15 other hens. After
two days, the farmer found that the three new hens were infected with a disease. After a few
days, four more hens were infected with the disease. He called a veterinarian to help him. He told
the veterinarian about the three new hens and the change he made in the type of food for the hens
a day before he found them sick.
(a) Suggest two inferences on the infected hens.
Inference 1: The new food causes the sickness in chicken
Inference 2: The new chickens infect healthy chickens
(b) If you were the veterinarian, how could you help the farmer to solve his problem?
Explain the design of your test.
Hypothesis 1: If the newly introduced chicken feed is causing the sickness, then
feeding the sick chickens with regular feed will make them healthy again.
Test hypothesis 1: Separate the sick chickens in new coop and feed them with
regular feed for one week to observe. If chickens do not recover, then hypothesis
1 cannot be accepted. Test the 2nd hypothesis.
Hypothesis 2: If the new chickens spread the disease, then their blood and stool
will show the presence of pathogen when tested.
Test hypothesis 2: Collect blood and stool samples and run the test. A positive test
results would confirm the presence of pathogens. The hen should be treated with
antibiotics or proper medication.
