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Introduction to the lesson
Antibiotics have been an amazing invention which have saved many people and helped to cure many diseases. However, antibiotics also point to major problems in the medical world of today. Antibiotics have been abused by both doctors and patients and it is predicted that they will soon be ineffective. Research must now find a new invention that can take the place of antibiotics in the battle against infection. You may be interested in doing some research on the "antivirus". Do you think the antivirus can take the place of antibiotics? Is it more effective or less effective? Can antiviruses be used for the same conditions as antibiotics?
Antibiotics
Read the section "Antibiotics" on p.213-217 of your text book.
Learning Activity 1
Answer the following questions in your exercise book.
- List the different ways that an antibiotic might work and give some examples of antibiotics under each category (See Fig. 10.13 on p.213).
- Describe how penicillin works on the cell walls of bacteria. Why does penicillin not work no M tuberculosis?
- Answer Question 10.16 on p.213.
- Name some ways that bacteria can prevent an antibiotic from working.
- Describe what is meant by vertical transmission -- see Fig. 10.15 on p.215.
- Describe what is meant by horizontal transmission -- see Fig. 10.15 on p.215.
- Study Fig. 10.16 and explain how the laboratory can work out which antibiotics the bacteria is resistant to.
- Why is it important to finish an antibiotic course? What happens if doctors over-prescribe antibiotics? Describe how antibiotic resistant bacteria can develop.
- What are the consequences of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics?
- Answer Question 10.17 and 10.18 on p.216.
- List some of the ways that we can reduce the circumstances in which bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics.
- Answer Questions 10.19-10.20 on p.216-217. [NOTE: Take particular attention to Question 10.20 as this is very similar to the questions that will be asked in the exams.]
Definitions and review
Definitions
- Antibiotics
- Vertical transmission
- Horizontal transmission
- Multiple resistance
Mindmap
Add this section to finish your chapter ten mindmap.