IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (9–1) 0973 · Biology · 73

0654.B10.1.01 — Describe a pathogen as a disease-causing organism: past paper questions

5 real questionsasked in 3 of the last 10 exam series2021–2025usually: State, Suggest, Describe

Real questions on 0654.b10.1.01 — describe a pathogen as a disease-causing organism

The newest 5 of 5 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[1]
Some bacteria are pathogens. State what is meant by a pathogen.
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0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1e[3]
The body defends itself against pathogens. On Fig. 1.2, draw one straight line from each defence to how it stops pathogens. defence how it stops pathogens acts as chemical barrier, destroying pathogens in food mucus skin acts as physical barrier, stopping entry of pathogens stomach acid produces antibodies white blood...
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0973/31 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(ii)[3]
Suggest three reasons for this decrease.
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0973/41 · October/November 2021 · Q7b(ii)[1]
State the name of the type of organism that causes dental decay.
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0973/41 · October/November 2021 · Q8a(iii)[2]
During the electrolysis, sodium hydroxide solution forms in the apparatus. Sodium hydroxide solution is an alkali. Describe a simple test and its positive result to show that sodium hydroxide is an alkali. test result
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What examiners said

Many candidates did not know this definition. A lot of very confused answers were seen and also some vague ones which were not specific enough to gain credit. Candidates gave ideas about something that’s contagious or that a pathogen is a disease which was insufficient.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/32 Q1(c) (Cambridge)

Most candidates connected all the boxes correctly. Where candidates did make a mistake, they often thought white blood cells trap pathogens and mucus produces antibodies.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/32 Q1(e) (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

73 0654.B10.1.01 — Describe a pathogen as a disease-causing organism

Describe a pathogen as a disease-causing organism
Describe a transmissible disease as a disease in which the pathogen can be passed from one host to another
State that vaccinations are available for some 14 Explain the role of vaccination in controlling pathogens to help control the spread of the spread of diseases diseases
State the features of viruses, limited to a protein coat and genetic material 3 State that a pathogen is transmitted: (a). by direct contact, including through blood and other body fluids (b). indirectly, including from contaminated surfaces, food, animals and air 4 Describe the body defences against pathogens, limited to: skin, hairs in the nose, mucus, stomach acid and white blood cells 5 Explain the importance of the following in controlling the spread of disease: (a). a clean water supply (b). hygienic food preparation (c). good personal hygiene (d). waste disposal (e). sewage treatment (details of the stages of sewage treatment are not required)
Describe active immunity as defence against a pathogen by antibody production in the body
State that each pathogen has its own antigens, which have specific shapes
Describe antibodies as proteins that bind to antigens leading to direct destruction of pathogens or marking of pathogens for destruction by phagocytes
State that specific antibodies have complementary shapes which fit specific antigens
Explain that active immunity is gained after an infection by a pathogen or by vaccination
Outline the process of vaccination: (a). weakened pathogens or their antigens are put into the body (b). the antigens stimulate an immune response by lymphocytes which produce antibodies (c). memory cells are produced that give long-term immunity

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