Malaria is a communicable disease caused by a protist spread by mosquitoes. Describe how malaria is transmitted and explain three measures that can be taken to reduce the spread of malaria.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Malaria remains one of the most widespread communicable diseases in tropical regions of the world, causing damage to blood and the liver and, in severe cases, death.
Model answer (5 marks)
Malaria is transmitted when a female Anopheles mosquito, which is a vector, bites a human and injects sporozoites of the Plasmodium protist into the bloodstream.
Three measures to reduce the spread of malaria are:
1. Minimise standing water around homes to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
2. Use insecticide‑treated mosquito nets or repellents to prevent mosquito bites.
3. Take prophylactic anti‑malaria drugs before travelling to endemic areas.
Three measures to reduce the spread of malaria are:
1. Minimise standing water around homes to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
2. Use insecticide‑treated mosquito nets or repellents to prevent mosquito bites.
3. Take prophylactic anti‑malaria drugs before travelling to endemic areas.
Examiner tips
- Use the term ‘vector’ and ‘sporozoites’ for the transmission part; give a clear, concise explanation of each control measure; mention the specific mosquito species (Anopheles) if possible to show depth.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the mosquito as the disease agent instead of a vector; not specifying that the mosquito is female; omitting the prophylactic drug measure or describing it incorrectly.
Mark scheme (5 marks)
- Malaria is transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito (vector) carrying the Plasmodium protist
- Minimise areas of standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites
- Use mosquito nets / repellents to prevent mosquito bites
- Take anti-malarial drugs before travelling to countries where malaria is common
- The mosquito is a vector, meaning it carries the disease without being infected itself, so controlling the vector controls the spread of the disease
Key terms in this question
communicable disease · protist
Related
- All Eduqas A-Level Biology revision notes →
- How to answer a "Describe and Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
More Population size and ecosystems questions
- A student is testing a new drug to treat a bacterial infection. Before the drug …
- When a person is infected by influenza for the first time, white blood cells res…
- Describe how the human immune system responds when a pathogen enters the body fo…
- Explain how the human body defends itself against pathogens before they enter th…