Match named diseases to their pathogens
Identify the syllabus pathogens and their types for cholera, malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology 9700, 2028–2030 syllabus, Version 1. Educational biology content only: it does not diagnose illness or replace advice from a qualified health professional.
Before you begin
- A pathogen is a disease-causing microorganism or infectious agent; transmission describes how it passes between hosts.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What type of pathogen is Plasmodium?
What you will learn
- Name the specified bacterial, protoctist and viral pathogens
- Distinguish a disease name from its pathogen and pathogen type
Build the explanation
The 9700 syllabus names cholera as caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Malaria is caused by the protoctists Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax. Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. HIV/AIDS is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); AIDS is the advanced syndrome associated with HIV infection. Learn each disease–agent–type pairing as a unit.
Apply it carefully
Use the complete scientific name when asked and distinguish plural group names from individual species. Do not call Plasmodium a bacterium or describe HIV as the name of the syndrome. The syllabus does not require the malaria parasite life cycle for this outcome, so keep identification and transmission separate from life-cycle detail.
Pause and explain
Which agent causes TB?
Worked example
State the pathogen and pathogen type that cause cholera.
Show the worked solution
- Recall the disease–agent pairing.
- Vibrio cholerae is a bacterium.
Answer Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
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Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Complete the four disease–pathogen–type pairings: cholera, malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS.
Give me a hint
Keep scientific agent names attached to their group type.
Compare my reasoning
- Cholera — Vibrio cholerae — bacterium; malaria — named Plasmodium species — protoctists.
- TB — Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis — bacteria; HIV/AIDS — HIV — virus.
Cholera: bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Malaria: protoctists Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium vivax. TB: bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. HIV/AIDS: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Look for these in your work
- Four diseases matched
- Pathogen types correct
- Scientific names correct
A student writes that malaria is caused by a bacterium and names Plasmodium falciparum. Correct the answer.
Give me a hint
Keep the named agent but correct its type.
Compare my reasoning
- Plasmodium falciparum is a protoctist.
- The disease is malaria, not a bacterial infection.
Malaria is caused by protoctists including Plasmodium falciparum; it is not caused by a bacterium.
Look for these in your work
- Disease retained
- Pathogen type corrected
An answer uses 'AIDS virus' as the pathogen name. Improve it so it distinguishes agent and syndrome.
Give me a hint
Use the virus name and the advanced disease-stage name separately.
Compare my reasoning
- HIV is the virus.
- AIDS is the advanced syndrome associated with HIV infection.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes HIV infection; AIDS is the advanced syndrome associated with that infection.
Look for these in your work
- HIV named as pathogen
- AIDS distinguished from virus
Common mistakes
- Calling Plasmodium a bacterium
- Omitting M. bovis from the syllabus list
- Treating AIDS as the name of the virus
What can you explain now?
What type of pathogen is Plasmodium?
Compare with the explanation
A protoctist
The syllabus classifies the malaria pathogens named here as protoctists.
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Make it stick
Which pathogen types and scientific names are paired with cholera, malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS?
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