Key ideas1 of 3
Pathogen or vector?
Malaria is caused by a protist. A female Anopheles mosquito can carry it between people. The mosquito is the vector, not the pathogen.
A female Anopheles mosquito taking a blood meal.
Biology Paper 1 · B3 · Lesson 3.5
Malaria and vectors
Separate the pathogen from the mosquito that carries it.
No timer. Read the explanation after each answer.
Lesson questions complete
Topic resources and sources
Daily 5 · Exam practice · Download the A4 revision sheet
Core content is shared by Foundation and Higher Tier. Challenge questions ask you to explain and apply it.
AQA Combined Science Trilogy specification · 4.3.1.5. Notes, questions and diagrams are original teaching material.
Rose leaf: LiquidGhoul / Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Mosquito: CDC / Jim Gathany, PHIL 5814, public domain. This photograph shows a vector species; it does not establish that this individual carries malaria.