12.2 Antibiotics (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Biology): Flashcards
Exam code: 5090
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Define drug.
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Cards in this collection (12)
Define drug.
Any substance taken into the body that modifies chemical reactions in the body.
Define antibiotic.
A chemical made by certain fungi or bacteria that kills bacteria or stops them reproducing.
How do antibiotics affect bacteria?
They disrupt the structure or function of bacterial cells, or prevent them from reproducing.
Why don't antibiotics usually harm human cells?
They target processes and structures specific to bacterial (prokaryotic) cells, which human cells do not have.
Antibiotics are effective against bacteria but not against .
Antibiotics are effective against bacteria but not against viruses.
Why don't antibiotics affect viruses?
Viruses do not carry out cell functions and have no cell structures to disrupt; they reproduce inside host cells, so antibiotics cannot affect them.
True or False?
Antibiotics can be used to treat viral infections such as the common cold.
False.
Antibiotics only work on bacteria, not viruses.
Define antibiotic resistance.
When bacteria are no longer killed by an antibiotic that used to be effective.
Give two reasons why antibiotics are becoming less effective.
overuse and over-prescribing
patients not completing the course
large-scale use of antibiotics in farming
Bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics are called superbugs; the most common is .
Bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics are called superbugs; the most common is MRSA.
How can individuals help to prevent antibiotic resistance?
only take antibiotics when absolutely essential
always complete the full course
True or False?
Completing the full course of antibiotics helps to prevent antibiotic resistance.
True.
Finishing the course kills all the bacteria, reducing the chance that resistant bacteria survive.
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