Question 19M.3.sl.TZ2.17b
| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 2] | Reference code | 19M.3.sl.TZ2.17b |
| Level | sl | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ2 |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | b | Adapted from | N/A |
Antiviral medications have recently been developed for some viral infections.
Discuss two difficulties associated with solving the AIDS problem.
[2]
Any two of:
viruses lack cell structure «so difficult to target with drugs» [✔]
HIV is a retrovirus
OR
HIV genetic material is in the form of RNA instead of DNA [✔]
HIV affects/destroys helper/T-cells which are necessary to fight infection [✔]
HIV has great genetic diversity so difficult to produce «a» vaccine [✔]
anti-retroviral agents are expensive so not everyone/country can afford them [✔]
socio-cultural issues deter people from seeking treatment/prevention/diagnosis
OR
lack of education/conversation/stigma associated with being HIV-positive [✔]
mutation of virus/HIV [✔]
virus/HIV metabolism linked to that of host cell [✔]
drugs harm host cell as well as virus/HIV [✔]
HIV difficult to detect/remains dormant [✔]
Most candidates were awarded at least one of the two marks possible for this question. Some student responses were too vague or discussed the social and political issues surrounding the AIDS crisis. There were also some responses that did not refer to a virus but AIDS.
