Antibiotics Flashcards
1
Q
How do Antibiotics work?
A
Interfere with cell wall synthesis (prevents specific
enzyme from making linkages between layers of
peptidoglycan)
&
Interfere with ribosome function (bind bacteria-specific RNA & protein subunits of ribosomes to
prevent translation)
2
Q
How do bacteria become antibiotic
resistant?
A
Bacteria undergo rapid reproduction (2,000 bacteria created per day with a mutation in any one gene); populations can quickly change as the selective
pressures in environment change
3
Q
When a new antibiotic is introduced…
A
Some variant likely exists that isn’t so susceptible
4
Q
Strong selection for that variant =
A
It has more babies
