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The Immune System
CONCEPTUALKnow that the body has an immune system that protects against illness: the skin acts as a barrier, white blood cells identify and destroy germs (bacteria and viruses), and vaccines train the immune system to recognise specific diseases before they cause illness
Mastery Evidence
- Describe the skin as the body's first line of defence against germs
- Explain that white blood cells detect and fight bacteria and viruses inside the body
- Describe how vaccines work: they contain weakened or inactive germs that train the immune system to recognise the real disease
Assessment Prompt
“Can [child] explain how their body fights off germs — and why getting a vaccine helps protect them from getting sick?”
Prerequisites1
- Cells, Tissues & OrganshardAges 7—9
Show full prerequisite tree
- Cells, Tissues & Organs hard
Understanding immune system requires knowing about cells and how they form systems
- The Heart & Blood soft
Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of heart as an organ in a system
- The Brain Controls the Body soft
Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of brain as an organ in a system
- How Breathing Works soft
Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of lungs as organs in a system
Unlocks2
- Healthy Lifestyle ChoicessoftAges 9—11
- Immunity & VaccineshardAges 11—13