Biology Year 12 - Module 7 - Lesson 14
Vaccination — Active and Passive Immunity
1. Key Ideas
In 1955, Jonas Salk announced a working polio vaccine. Within two years, polio cases in the US dropped by 85–90%. A disease that had paralysed hundreds of thousands of children per year — including a future US president — was being dismantled by a syringe. This lesson is about how that is possible, and why it sometimes isn't.
- The distinction between active and passive immunity
- Why herd immunity protects those who cannot be vaccinated
2. Success Criteria
By the end, you should be able to:
- The distinction between active and passive immunity
- Natural vs artificial forms of each
- How herd immunity works and the thresholds for common diseases
3. Key Terms
4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map
Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.
| Prompt | Your answer |
|---|---|
| Main concept | |
| Important example | |
| Common mistake to avoid | |
| How this links to the next lesson |
5. Short Answer Questions
1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "The distinction between active and passive immunity". Use one specific example from the lesson.
2. Apply this idea to a new example: "Natural vs artificial forms of each". Show your reasoning clearly.
3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Vaccination — Active and Passive Immunity: "How herd immunity works and the thresholds for common diseases".
6. Extend: Apply the Idea
A student gives a memorised answer about Vaccination — Active and Passive Immunity but does not use evidence or reasoning.
Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.
7. Multiple Choice
1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Vaccination — Active and Passive Immunity?
A. Identify the key concept being tested
B. Write every fact from memory
C. Ignore the command word
D. Skip examples and evidence
2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Vaccination — Active and Passive Immunity?
A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning
B. A copied definition only
C. A single-word response
D. An answer with no example
3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?
A. Link the idea to a reason or cause
B. List unrelated facts
C. Only draw a diagram
D. Write the shortest possible answer
8. Success Criteria Proof
Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.