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Fighting infection – introduction

We all get sick from time to time. Wintertime, in particular, brings with it colds and flus. Rights: Image licensed through 123rf.com Sick child We all get sick from time to time and don’t feel ...

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ARTICLE

The body’s first line of defence

Your body has a two-line defence system against pathogens (germs) that make you sick. Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, toxins, parasites and fungi. The first line of defence (or outside ...

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ARTICLE

Bacteria – good, bad and ugly

Bacteria range from the essential and useful, to the harmful. Essential bacteria Without the key functions of some bacteria, life on earth would be very different: Some bacteria degrade organic ...

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ACTIVITY

Introduction to cells

In this activity, students are introduced to cells. They learn that we are made up of cells. Students also learn how to use a microscope to observe onion cells. By the end of this activity ...

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ACTIVITY

Inside a cell

In this activity, students learn about the contents of a cell. They explore some of the main organelles within a cell using the analogy of a school, an online interactive and/or by making ...

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ACTIVITY

Fighting infection card game

In this activity, students play a card game to explore how two types of immune cells help to fight viral infections. By the end of this activity, students should be able to: explain that ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Infection Inspection

Help this global project to develop a faster test for antibiotic resistance by looking inside bacteria that have been treated with antibiotics. This will improve healthcare for patients with ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Etch a Cell – Zooniverse

In this online citizen science (OCS) project, participants analyse electron microscope images taken of a range of biological samples, helping scientists better understand cancer, infectious ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Myrtle Rust Reporter

Myrtle rust is a serious biosecurity threat, and help is needed to monitor its spread. This citizen science project aims to gather information on the location, hosts and intensity of this fungal ...

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TEACHER PLD

Fighting infection, the immune system – unit plan

Our bodies have a defence system against pathogens that make us sick. This defence system is made up of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect us. It is known as the immune ...

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TEACHER PLD

Fighting infection: reducing infection – unit plan

We all get sick from time to time, especially over the winter months. The classroom, in particular, seems to be a breeding ground for coughs, colds and flu. How do we get sick? Why do a number of ...

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TEACHER PLD

Antimicrobial resistance – a context for learning

Modern antibiotic medicines came into use in the middle of the 20th century. They enabled doctors to treat serious – and sometimes fatal – bacterial infections like strep throat and pneumonia ...

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VIDEO

What is snot?

Dr Joanna Kirman talks about snot. Although it seems disgusting, we learn snot is actually a good thing and is one of our weapons to fight disease. It is produced to clear the airways of ...

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VIDEO

The body’s defence

Professor Graham Le Gros from the Malaghan Institute explains the body’s defence system. He talks about the first line of defence, which involves the skin barrier. He then talks about how ...

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VIDEO

What is an immune response?

Dr Mattie Timmer (Victoria University of Wellington) describes immune response as any action that your body takes against invading objects or microorganisms. In general, the action is to clear ...

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INTERACTIVE

The immune system

This interactive explains the different cells, microorganisms and molecules involved in the human immune system.

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INTERACTIVE

The immune system in action

This interactive is a simple version of the human immune response to two different pathogens.

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INTERACTIVE

Antimicrobial resistance – planning pathways

Use this interactive to discover a range of resources about microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance. Select a label for more information. Go here for further information, including the ...

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