Fungal Diseases in Plants and Humans

For AQA GCSE Biology, the named fungal disease you need to know is rose black spot, which affects plants. You are not required to learn a named fungal disease affecting humans.

Rose black spot

Rose black spot is a fungal disease of rose plants. Its main symptoms are:

• purple or black spots developing on the leaves
• leaves turning yellow
• leaves falling from the plant earlier than normal

The loss of leaves reduces the plant’s ability to carry out photosynthesis. Therefore, less glucose is produced, so the plant’s growth is reduced.

The fungus spreads through the environment by water or wind. For example, spores may be carried between plants by rain splash. A spore is a small reproductive cell that can grow into a new fungus.

Rose black spot can be treated or controlled by:

• applying fungicides, which are chemicals that kill fungi or stop their growth
• removing and destroying infected leaves so that the fungus is less likely to spread

What about fungal diseases in humans?

Fungi can act as pathogens and infect animals, including humans. A pathogen is a microorganism that causes an infectious disease. However, the AQA GCSE Biology specification does not name a particular human fungal disease that students must recall.

In an exam, only give an additional human example if it is provided in the question or you are certain that it is relevant. Focus your revision on rose black spot as the required named fungal disease.

Common exam mistake

Do not simply write that black spots damage the plant. Link the symptom to its effect:

Leaves fall early, reducing the area available for photosynthesis, so less glucose is made and plant growth decreases.

This content applies to both Foundation and Higher tiers. The assumed scope is AQA GCSE Biology 8461, the separate-science qualification; rose black spot itself is also shared content rather than biology-only content.