# 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.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 3.4 Population size and ecosystems · Describe and Explain · 5 marks

> 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.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Malaria is transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito (vector) carrying the Plasmodium protist
2. Minimise areas of standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites
3. Use mosquito nets / repellents to prevent mosquito bites
4. Take anti-malarial drugs before travelling to countries where malaria is common
5. 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

- [communicable disease](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/communicable-disease)
- [protist](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/protist)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and 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/malaria-is-a-communicable-disease-caused-054ac940) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.