Immune System and Pathogens

Name:_____________
Part A- Pre Practical Questions
1. What is a pathogen? Give an example of a pathogen.
Definition:____________________________________________________________________________________
__
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Example:_____________________________________________________________________________________
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First Line of Defence
2. The immune system is a layered defence system. Using the diagram below identify any
areas where pathogens could enter the body.
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3.

Complete the diagram by labelling any physical and chemical barriers to pathogens.

Second Line of Defence

4. Pathogens contain protein markers on their surface. These proteins are known as
antigens. Antigens are specific to each type of pathogen. Draw antigens on the bacteria
surface in the space below.

5. Much of the immune system relies on immune cells moving through blood and fluids in
the circulatory system. If a pathogen breaches the first line of defence, cells called
phagocytes (macrophages) engulf the pathogen by recognizing the antigens on its
surface. This is called phagocytosis. Describe the process occurring during the steps
below:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

6. The Inflammation response causes blood vessels to widen, allowing more blood to flow
to the area. Why would this be of benefit during the inflammatory response?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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7. When pathogens breach the first line of defence and begin to reproduce, the body often
raises its own temperature. Why might a fever be of benefit?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Third Line of Defence

8. The third line of defence uses a type of white blood cell called a B cell to target a
specific pathogen type by producing antibodies. Draw a picture of an antibody below.

9. Antibodies can bind to pathogens. To what part of a pathogen would an antibody bind?
Add a specific antigen to bind to
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
10.What effect do you think that an antibody would have binding to a pathogen? How
could this be of benefit for the body?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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11.Once a B cell has been activated and has produced antibodies, your body is immune to
that specific pathogen. How else can you become immune to a pathogen? Explain how
this process works.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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Part B- Pathogens
Aim:
To determine where bacteria can be found
Background Information
Microbes such as bacteria, viruses and fungi can be found everywhere on earth. Many are
harmless or useful (think bacteria to make yoghurt and yeasts for bread). However, many of

these organisms are pathogens. That is, they have the ability to cause disease (think malaria,
HIV, tuberculosis).
Pre practical questions and hypothesis
1. Complete the hypothesis below by circling your response:

Different / the same bacteria will be found in different / the same

areas

2. Read the materials and method and complete the table below:
Independent
Variable
Dependent
Variable
Controlled
Variable

Materials:
-Agar plate

-Cotton bud

-Marker

-Masking tape

Method:
1. Gather materials
2. Label the regions that you will sample on the underside of your agar plate using the
marker and masking tape.
3. Swab the appropriate region with your cotton bud and gently rub over the agar plate.
4. Change cotton buds for each area sampled.
5. Seal agar plate with tape and place in incubator.
6. Wash your hands.
Results:
1. Label the areas sampled into the agar plate below.
2. Draw any bacterial colonies present in each area and dispose of plate in the container
provided.

Discussion:
1. Which area sampled had the most bacterial colonies present?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. How were you able to determine whether or not the bacteria were different to each
other?
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3. Given the places where you found these bacteria, do you think that all bacteria are
harmful? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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4. Plants do not have an immune system and are susceptible to attacks by pathogens just
like animals. Complete the following table:
Physical Barrier to Pathogens in Animals

Physical Barrier to Pathogens in Plants

5. The following graph shows the growth of the bacteria (E. coli naturally lives in your
intestines) over a 14 hour period on a piece of food. Describe the trend in the graph.

_______________________________________________________
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6. E. coli can also cause severe food poisoning. Suggest how E. coli can cause illness when
contaminated food is eaten, yet is harmless in your intestines.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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Conclusion:
The immune system is a _________________________ defence system. The first line of defence
tries to prevent
_____________________ from entering. Barriers to entry include _______________________ and
______________________. If a pathogen gains entry the _____________________________ of defence
is activated.
This involves the use of special immune cells called ______________________________ that engulf
foreign material
through a process called ______________________________. Often a _______________________ or a
________________________ will result. The third line of defence targets a
________________________________
pathogen. It involves specialized immune cells called __________________ recognizing the
pathogens
__________________________ and producing specific _______________________ to attach to the
surface of the
pathogen. This results in you building ______________________ to that type of pathogen.

Immunity, B cells, fever, phagocytosis, antibodies, intact skin, pathogens, layered, mucous,
second line, phagocytes, inflammation, specific, antigens.

Part C- Design your pathogen

Merry Christmas from Bacteria, Viruses, Antigens and Antibodies
Your task in pairs is to develop:

the virus and its antigen markers

the antibodies produced by B Cells to cure the virus
a virus Christmas greeting card or B cell Happy New Year card
1. The virus and its antigen markers (here create a 3d model of your virus including its
antigen markers)
2. The antibodies produced by B Cells to cure the virus (here create the antibodies
to attach to the antigens)
3. Christmas Greeting Card (here name your virus, draw, list the symptoms, and make
it rhyme) or A Happy New Year Card from the B Cell (here include your role in the
immune system and how you prevent pathogens from spreading, and make it
rhyme