Bitesize GCSE Biology - Series 3: Infection and Response
Episode 3: Vaccination, Antibiotics, and Painkillers
Release Date: 24 March 2023
Key Topics Covered:
1. Vaccination
- Mechanism:
- Vaccinations work by stimulating the body’s immune system.
- They use antibodies and lymphocytes (white blood cells).
- Herd Immunity:
- Concept where if a large percentage of the population is vaccinated, the spread of disease is controlled, protecting unvaccinated individuals.
2. Antibiotics
- Usage:
- Used to treat bacterial infections.
- Impact:
- Important to note that antibiotics do not work on viral infections.
3. Painkillers
- Role:
- Help to relieve symptoms of illness but do not kill pathogens or cure the illness.
Concepts Explained:
- Antibodies:
- Proteins produced by the immune system to neutralize or destroy toxins and pathogens.
- Lymphocytes:
- A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system, helping to fight infections by producing antibodies.
Further Learning Resources: