Antibiotics Flashcards
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria without damaging body cells.
Do antibiotics kill viruses?
No because viruses live inside cells.
Do antibiotics kill fungi?
No
Name the most common type of antibiotic.
Penicillin
Who discovered penicillin?
Alexander Fleming
How can we compare different antibiotics using paper discs?
- Soak same sized discs in a different antibiotics.
- Spread bacteria in agar plate.
- Place discs into agar plate.
- Incubate agar plate (keep warm) to grow bacteria.
- Observe plate - largest clear zone = best antibiotic.
- Repeat to make more reliable.
A bacteria that is not killed by antibiotics is called…
antibiotic resistant or a superbug
Give an example of a antibiotic resistant superbug
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
What is a random mutation?
A random change in an organisms DNA that causes variation.
Explain how antibiotic resistant bacteria develop by natural selection.
Random Mutation causes…
Variation (some resistant some not) this gives some an…
Advantage (resistant survive when antibiotic used) so they..
Survive and…
Reproduce and their…
Genes passed on (next generation all resistant)
What encourages antibiotic resistant bacteria to develop?
Overusing antibiotics
Not finishing the full course so resistant bacteria survive.
How can we stop antibiotic resistant super bugs (bacteria) from spreading:
- Wash hands before meals and after going to toilet.
- Use antiseptics to clean cuts.
- Clean toilets and kitchens with disinfectants.
- Use sterile medical equipment.
What does sterile mean?
That there are no microorganisms growing
What is another name for resistant bacteria?
superbugs
