AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
The spread can be controlled by treatment with antibiotics or the use of a…
Full specification wording
Bacterial diseases: The spread can be controlled by treatment with antibiotics or the use of a barrier method of contraception such as a condom.
Because gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics that kill the pathogen or stop its growth.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 7
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Because gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics that kill the pathogen or stop its growth. Treating an infected person reduces the chance of passing the bacterium to others. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, physically prevent the exchange of body fluids during sexual contact, so the bacterium cannot move from an infected person to an uninfected person. Using a condom correctly every time reduces transmission. A concrete example is a person diagnosed with gonorrhoea who completes a prescribed course of antibiotics and avoids unprotected sex until cleared; their partner uses condoms to avoid reinfection. Both treatment and barrier methods together give stronger control than either alone.
What earns the marks
- Antibiotics are effective because gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium.
- Antibiotics kill the bacterium or inhibit its growth, reducing the source of infection.
- Barrier methods such as condoms physically prevent sexual transmission.
- Correct and consistent use of a condom is needed for effective control.
- Combining treatment with barrier contraception reduces the spread more than either measure alone.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Suggesting antibiotics work against viruses.
Put it right: Antibiotics target bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Thinking any contraception prevents gonorrhoea.
Put it right: Only barrier methods such as condoms block transmission, while hormonal methods do not.
Believing one treatment is enough without preventing reinfection.
Put it right: Barrier methods are also needed to stop reinfection and spread.
Exam tips
- Name the specific barrier method, for example a condom, rather than saying 'contraception' alone.
- Explain the mechanism: antibiotics kill bacteria; condoms stop body fluid contact.
- Use the word 'control' rather than 'cure' when describing measures that reduce spread.
Try the lesson
The start of the Bacterial diseases: The spread can be controlled by treatment with antibiotics or the use of a barrier method of contraception such as a condom. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which two methods are used to control the spread of the bacterial disease gonorrhoea?
Listen
Because gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics that kill the pathogen or stop its growth. Treating an infected person reduces the chance of passing the bacterium to others. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, physically prevent the exchange of body fluids during sexual contact, so the bacterium cannot move from an infected person to an uninfected person. Using a condom correctly every time reduces transmission. A concrete example is a person diagnosed with gonorrhoea who completes a prescribed course of antibiotics and avoids unprotected sex until cleared; their partner uses condoms to avoid reinfection. Both treatment and barrier methods together give stronger control than either alone. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Antibiotics are effective because gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium. Antibiotics kill the bacterium or inhibit its growth, reducing the source of infection. Barrier methods such as condoms physically prevent sexual transmission. Correct and consistent use of a condom is needed for effective control. A common slip: Suggesting antibiotics work against viruses. Instead, antibiotics target bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Exam tip: Name the specific barrier method, for example a condom, rather than saying 'contraception' alone.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Antibiotics
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Barrier contraception
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Disease control
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Antibiotics
- Substances that kill the bacterium causing gonorrhoea or inhibit its growth, reducing the source of infection.
- Barrier contraception
- A method such as a condom that physically prevents the exchange of body fluids during sexual contact, so the bacterium cannot move from an infected person to an uninfected person.
- Disease control
- Reducing the spread of the bacterium by combining treatment with barrier contraception, which gives stronger control than either alone.
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