Home / iGCSE Biology (0610)-10.1 Diseases and immunity – iGCSE Style Questions Paper 1

iGCSE Biology (0610)-10.1 Diseases and immunity – iGCSE Style Questions Paper 1

IGCSE Biology (0610) Practice Questions Paper 1 - All Chapters

Question

Which type of pathogen transmission is by direct contact?

(A) contaminated air
(B) contaminated blood
(C) contaminated food
(D) contaminated surfaces
▶️ Answer/Explanation

Direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical touch between an infected person and a susceptible host, including the exchange of body fluids. Pathogens in contaminated blood are transmitted directly through contact with open wounds, mucous membranes, or shared needles. In contrast, air, food, and surfaces are considered “vehicles” or “fomites,” representing indirect transmission routes where the pathogen survives in the environment before reaching a new host. Therefore, blood-to-blood or fluid-to-fluid contact is a primary example of the direct route.

✅ Answer: (B)

Question

How can the spread of disease be prevented?

(A) leaving food uncovered
(B) only washing hands after meals
(C) using the same equipment to prepare raw and cooked food
(D) washing hands before and after handling raw food
▶️ Answer/Explanation
Preventing the spread of disease requires breaking the chain of infection, particularly in food preparation. Raw foods, especially meats, often harbor pathogens like Salmonella or E. coli. Washing hands before handling food ensures you don’t introduce germs to the meal, while washing them after prevents the transfer of bacteria from the raw ingredients to other surfaces or your mouth. Options A, B, and C actually increase the risk of “cross-contamination,” which is a primary cause of foodborne illnesses. Regular hygiene and separating raw and cooked materials are the most effective preventative measures.
✅ Answer: (D)

Question

Which substances act as body defences?
  1. mucus
  2. red blood cells
  3. stomach acid

A 1 and 2
B 1 and 3
C 2 and 3
D 3 only

▶️ Answer/Explanation
Detailed solution

The correct answer is B (1 and 3).

Mucus (1) traps pathogens in the respiratory and digestive tracts, while stomach acid (3) kills bacteria ingested with food; both serve as vital primary line defenses. In contrast, red blood cells (2) are specialized for oxygen transport and play no role in immunity. Since white blood cells, not red, are responsible for defense, only options 1 and 3 are correct.

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