Module 4: Autoimmune Diseases

These free OCR A Level Biology Autoimmune Diseases revision notes have been written for specification point 4.1.1(k).

  1. Communicable Diseases
  2. Plant Defences Against Pathogens
  3. Non-Specific Defences in Animals
  4. White Blood Cells and Secondary Defences
  5. The Primary and Secondary Immune Response
  6. Immunity
  7. Antibodies
  8. Autoimmune Diseases
  9. Vaccination and Epidemics
  10. Developing New Medicines
  11. Antibiotics and Their Use
  12. Biodiversity
  13. Conserving Biodiversity
  14. Measuring Biodiversity
  15. Measuring Genetic Biodiversity
  16. Variation
  17. Causes of Variation
  18. Adaptations
  19. Natural Selection
  20. Evolution and Speciation
  21. Evidence for Natural Selection
  22. Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace
  23. Classification and Phylogenetics
Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, mistaking self-antigens as foreign antigens.

The causes of this are not always known, but may include genetic and environmental triggers. 

Immunosuppressants are the most common treatment, but have side effects (e.g. vulnerability to pathogens).

Rheumatoid arthritis is the named example you are expected to know, characterised by membranes around joints being targeted, leading to pain, swelling and inflammation.

PreviousFull NotesNext
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.