# Explain why diseases caused by fungi are more difficult to treat than diseases caused by bacteria.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 2.6.1 Pathogens and disease · Explain · 4 marks

> Athlete's foot is a common fungal disease that infects the skin. It can be treated, but the treatment often takes several weeks to work.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Fungi are eukaryotic (have a nucleus / membrane-bound organelles)
2. Human cells are also eukaryotic, so fungi share similar cell structures with human cells
3. Drugs that kill fungi may also damage / kill human cells
4. Bacteria are prokaryotic and have different cell structures to human cells, so antibiotics can target bacteria without harming human cells

## Key terms

- [fungi](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fungi)
- [bacteria](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/bacteria)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-diseases-caused-by-fungi-7edd28b0) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.