UPD8

Hay fever

Learning objectives

To stimulate interest in lung and immune system function.

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Curriculum link

11 - 14 (KS3)
Hay fever

Respiration QCA 8b - gas exchange happens in the lungs, which are specialized organs.

Fit and Healthy QCA 9b - ciliated epithelial cells in the airways are specialised for moving fluid.

Cells QCA 7a - ciliated epithelial cells as examples of specialized cells
Microbes and Disease 8c - the production of antibodies in the blood are part of the body's defence system.

Running the activity

Suggested time: 20 minutes

Possible starter: Display the picture of pollen grains stuck to ciliated epithelial cells in the windpipe (page 1) and ask what the illustration shows. For maximum impact, have the picture on the screen as students enter the room. This page can be projected or printed onto transparency.

Main activity: Display page 2, which explains the picture on page 1. Get students to discuss the questions at the bottom of the page, which are about allergies students might have come across.
Display and explain page 3. This is a diagram showing - in a simplified way - how the allergic response arises.

Possible plenary: Give small groups the cards on page 4. Ask students to match each allergy with preventative measures and treatments. This activity partly reinforces the work completed earlier, and also encourages students to explore knowledge learned in other contexts.

Web links

News links

Allergies

A simple account of allergies and their treatment for younger readers.

Fighting allergies

Articles about combating all the major allergies.

Asthma and allergies

Comprehensive but easy to read site from the Canadian Lung Foundation with information about asthma and allergies.

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