GED® Science: Microbiology, Viruses & Disease
Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists are everywhere — and understanding them is key to the Life Science portion of the GED® Science test. This course walks through the structure and behavior of microorganisms, how viruses hijack cells to replicate, how the human immune system fights back, and the difference between infectious and non-infectious disease. You will also learn how antibiotics and vaccines work, and how to read epidemiological graphs and data tables — exactly the reasoning skills the GED® Science test rewards.
📚 Course Curriculum
Microorganisms (microbes) are living things too small to see without a microscope. They were the first life on Earth and still make up most of …
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Bacteria are prokaryotes — single-celled organisms with no nucleus. Their DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm as a single circular chromosome. Key bacterial structures:. Cell …
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A virus is the ultimate parasite. It carries only the instructions for making more viruses — none of the machinery to do so. That machinery …
Open trial session →When a pathogen enters the body, the immune system launches a layered defense. First line of defense (physical barriers):. Skin — keeps most pathogens out. …
Open trial session →Not all diseases are caused by germs. The GED® distinguishes two broad categories:. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens — bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites …
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Antibiotics are drugs that kill or slow the growth of bacteria. They target structures unique to bacterial cells — most commonly the cell wall or …
Open trial session →Epidemiology is the study of how diseases spread through populations. The GED® Science test regularly gives graphs, tables, or bar charts from epidemiological data and …
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Course Syllabus
This self-paced GED® Science course follows a 7-lesson sequence. Work through the modules in order so that each skill supports the next.
Course sequence
Module 1 - Lessons 1-4
- The Microbial World: What Are Microorganisms?
- Bacteria: Structure, Reproduction, and Roles
- Viruses: Structure and the Lytic Cycle
- The Immune System: Your Body's Defense Network
Module 2 - Lessons 5-7
- Infectious vs. Non-infectious Disease
- Antibiotics, Vaccines, and Disease Prevention
- Reading Epidemiological Data
Practice and completion
- Use worked examples and lesson practice to check understanding after each module.
- Review incorrect answers, explain the correction, and repeat weak skills.
- Complete the available mixed or final course practice to demonstrate readiness.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain the key scientific ideas and vocabulary in The Microbial World: What Are Microorganisms?.
- Interpret observations, data, models, or evidence related to Viruses: Structure and the Lytic Cycle.
- Apply scientific reasoning to questions involving The Immune System: Your Body's Defense Network.
- Evaluate explanations and identify common errors about Infectious vs. Non-infectious Disease.
- Connect Reading Epidemiological Data with other course concepts in mixed practice.
- Use feedback and answer explanations to diagnose and correct mistakes.
- Complete mixed, exam-style practice with clearer reasoning and greater independence.
📝 Practice Questions
23 interactive questions with instant feedback and explanations.
Enroll for free to unlock the full practice bank after the trial sessions.