S3-5 Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Infections
Introduction
This section covers several aspects of Micro-organisms which specifically cause sexually transmitted diseases or infections within the Standard Grade syllabus. The intention is to provide online content and activities for pupils, along with additional teacher support in the form of suggestions and ideas for classroom work and downloadable activity sheets.
The pupil content begins with an introduction on the basic facts about STDs/STIs and leads the student to consider how micro-organisms affect the body. These materials can be used to support teachers as part of the new framework for Sex Education in Scotland.
Curriculum references
Standard Grade References
Biology Topic 3
Sub topic b Reproduction
Classroom Applications
Introduction to STDs / STIs
A review of the types of organisms associated with causing STDs / STIs.
The facts
Recent data emphasises the prevalence of STDs.
Bacterial infections
Details about the symptoms of the main 3 bacterial diseases of Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis, in both males and females. Emphasis is placed on the fact that antibiotics can be used to treat bacterial infections.
Extension work
Draw and label a typical bacterial cell. State how it differs from a typical animal cell.
Review Phagocytosis and the action of white blood cells engulfing bacterial cells.
Investigate the work of Alexander Fleming and the discovery of the antibiotic Penicillin.
Find out how antibiotics work.
Design an experiment to investigate the effectiveness of different strengths of antibiotic against a particular bacterial species.
Investigate the large scale/industrial manufacture of Penicillin.
Learning outcomes
- Bacterial cell structure consists of a cell wall surrounding a membrane, cytoplasm and a circle of DNA - no true nucleus.
- Describe the effects of antibiotics - understand that Penicillin works by preventing cell wall manufacture in a wide number of bacteria.
- Describe the structure and function of an industrial fermenter.
Yeast fungus
This section briefly summarises the symptoms and treatment of one of the most common STDs, Thrush.
Extension work
Draw and label the 'acellular/coenocytic' structure of a fungal hypha and that of a budding yeast cell.
Learning outcomes
- To know the characteristic features of arthropods.
- Be able to key major plant and animal groups.
Viruses
This section looks at the 2 main viral diseases, Herpes and HIV. Emphasis is placed on the fact that there is NO cure or VACCINATION against either of these infections.
Extension work
Draw and label a typical viral cell, and a bacteriophage.
Learning outcomes
- Appreciate that viruses are smaller than bacteria
- Know that viruses are not living organisms and that they must parasitise a living host cell.
Summary
A brief synopsis of the information covered.
Revision time
A typical exam question to test the students knowledge.
Useful web links
The Government's guidelines on SRE are available at:
The Sex Education Forum of the National Children's Bureau is online at:
Further information on contraception is available at:
Information on family planning is available from the fpa (formerly The Family Planning Association) which is a registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK. The site is available at:
For the latest information on HIV and STIs data in the UK visit the Public Health Laboratory Service site at:
The Department of Health information web site on sexual health is available at:
The National AIDS Trust (NAT) aims to promote a wider understanding of HIV and AIDS.
Downloads
Pupil Section Exe Files
These are versions of the pupil material for this topic that you can download and use offline. Simply save the .exe file to your desktop and double-click it.
STDs /STIs
PDF files
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