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1. Describe two ways the body prevents the entry of microorganisms - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 11 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 11
1. Describe two ways the body prevents the entry of microorganisms. 1 2 2. In 2014 the Ebola virus killed almost 8000 people in Africa. Drug companies have develo... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:1. Describe two ways the body prevents the entry of microorganisms - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 11 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe two ways the body prevents the entry of microorganisms.
Answer
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The skin acts as a barrier to prevent pathogens from entering the body. It produces antimicrobial secretions, which help eliminate harmful microorganisms.
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The trachea and bronchi have mucus that traps pathogens. Additionally, the cilia present in these airways move mucus containing trapped pathogens towards the throat, where it can be swallowed or expelled.
Step 2
Explain what testing must be done before this new drug can be used to treat people.
Answer
Before the new drug can be used on patients, several crucial testing steps must be undertaken:
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Pre-clinical trials: Initial testing on cell cultures, tissues, or live animals should be conducted to assess the safety and biological activity of the new drug. This helps in understanding its potential toxicity and efficacy.
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Clinical trials: Once pre-clinical results are satisfactory, the drug must undergo clinical trials, which typically occur in three phases:
- Phase 1: Testing on a small group of healthy volunteers to evaluate safety and determine dosage.
- Phase 2: Trials on a larger group of individuals, including those with Ebola, to assess efficacy and further monitor safety.
- Phase 3: Extensive trials on a larger population to confirm efficacy, monitor side effects, and compare it to standard treatments.
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Randomized allocation: Participants in the trials must be randomly assigned to receive either the new drug or a placebo to ensure unbiased results.
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Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of participants is essential to track any adverse effects and effectiveness throughout the trials.
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Regulatory approval: Following successful trials, data must be compiled for regulatory bodies to review before the drug can be made available for public use.