Antibiotics and Biotech Flashcards
Which pathogens can antibiotics work against?
bacteria
How do antibiotics work?
damage bacterial cells but do not damage human cells
Explain how antibiotic resistance is caused
Within a population of bacteria, a mutation arises which gives a bacteria resistance. When antibiotics are taken, this kills non-resistance bacteria. Resistant bacteria are able to grow in large numbers without competition from non-resistant bacteria
Suggest how to reduce antibiotic resistance
Not prescribing antibiotics unless necessary, not using in agriculture, making sure patients complete courses of antibiotics
In a lab, which asceptic techniques can we use to prevent contamination of agar plates with bacteria?
Use an autoclave (oven) to sterelise agar and petri dishes. Use sterile inoculating loops. Keep a bunsen burner nearby whilst carrying out the procedure. Keep petri dishes and culture vials covered. Wear gloves, goggles, lab coats, face masks.
When testing the effects of antibiotics on growth of bacteria on an agar plate, what is the zone of inhibition?
The area around the antibiotic which is clear of bacteria
What happens during preclinical testing of a new drug?
Drugs are testing using computer models and human cells in a lab
What happens during clinical testing of a new drug?
The drug is tested on humans. First on healthy volunteers and then people suffering with the disease.
What are monoclonal antibodies?
Identical copies of one type of antibody
How are monoclonal antibodies made?
An antigen is injected into a mouse. The mouse produces lymphocytes in response. Spleen cells which produce the lymphocytes are removed and fused with cancerous myeloma cells from a human to form a hybridoma cell. These cells can divide and produce millions of antibodies.
What is a myeloma cell?
a human cancerous white blood cell which has the ability to divide quickly
What is a hybridoma cell?
a spleen cell from a mouse fused with a myeloma cell. Hybridoma cells divide and produce millions of monoclonal antibodies.
What are some uses of monoclonal antibodies?
pregnancy testing, diagnosing and treating cancer, locating blood clots in the body
What is the advantage of using monoclonal antibodies to treat cancers?
Monoclonal antibodies target specific cancer cells in the body and reduce the risk to healthy cells
