# Malaria is a communicable disease caused by a protist spread by mosquitoes. Describe how the spread of malaria can be reduced in a population.

> Eduqas A-Level Biology — 3.5 Human impact on the environment · Describe · 5 marks

> Malaria is caused by the protist Plasmodium falciparum. It is transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito vector, which carries the pathogen without being infected itself. Malaria causes damage to blood and the liver and can be fatal.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Minimise areas of standing water to reduce mosquito breeding sites
2. Use mosquito repellents to prevent mosquito bites
3. Use mosquito nets (to prevent bites whilst sleeping / to create a physical barrier between the mosquito and the person)
4. Take anti-malarial drugs before travelling to countries where malaria is common
5. The mosquito is a vector, meaning it carries the pathogen without being infected itself, so targeting the mosquito interrupts transmission of the pathogen to humans

## Key terms

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

## Related

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

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/malaria-is-a-communicable-disease-caused-9321170c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.