Difference between revisions of "Antibiotic Resistance"
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: As a result of [[Evolution by Natural Selection|evolution]] many [[disease]] causing [[bacteria]] can no longer be treated with common [[antibiotic]]s. | : As a result of [[Evolution by Natural Selection|evolution]] many [[disease]] causing [[bacteria]] can no longer be treated with common [[antibiotic]]s. | ||
: Doctors are concerned that if common [[Pathogenic Bacteria]] become '''antibiotic resistant''' then many [[disease]]s may become untreatable and thousands could die. | : Doctors are concerned that if common [[Pathogenic Bacteria]] become '''antibiotic resistant''' then many [[disease]]s may become untreatable and thousands could die. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Reducing the Chances of Antibiotic Resistance=== | ||
| + | There are a number of precautions we can take to reduce the chance of [[Pathogenic Bacteria]] gaining '''antibiotic resistance'''. These include: | ||
| + | *Only giving [[antibiotic]]s for serious [[infection]]s that are known to be caused by [[Pathogenic Bacteria]]. | ||
| + | *Increased [[hygiene]] in hospitals. | ||
| + | *Quarantine people with '''antibiotic resistant''' [[strain]]s of [[Pathogenic Bacteria|bacteria]]. | ||
| + | *Stop using [[antibiotic]]s on livestock. | ||
===Examples=== | ===Examples=== | ||
*[[MRSA]] - [[Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus]] are a [[strain]] of [[bacteria]] which is not affected by a common [[antibiotic]] known as [[Methicillin]]. | *[[MRSA]] - [[Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus]] are a [[strain]] of [[bacteria]] which is not affected by a common [[antibiotic]] known as [[Methicillin]]. | ||
*[[Super Gonorrhea]] - This sexually transmitted [[disease]] is resistant to many common [[antibiotic]]s. | *[[Super Gonorrhea]] - This sexually transmitted [[disease]] is resistant to many common [[antibiotic]]s. | ||
Revision as of 10:54, 21 November 2018
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Antibiotic resistance is the tendency of bacterial colonies to become immune to the use of antibiotics.
About Antibiotic Resistance
- Antibiotic resistance is evidence for evolution by natural selection.
The process of antibiotic resistance of a colony of bacteria takes place over several generations.
- Antibiotics are used to kill a colony of bacteria.
- Bacteria within the colony are all slightly different due to genetic variation so a few may not be affected by the antibiotic.
- Some bacteria survive the antibiotic due to a number of reasons, but a proportion of those is due to a variation that has made them resistant.
- In the next generation there will be many more resistant bacteria since the others have died and cannot reproduce.
- When antibiotics are used again this removes all of the non-resistant bacteria leaving behind an entire colony of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
- As a result of evolution many disease causing bacteria can no longer be treated with common antibiotics.
- Doctors are concerned that if common Pathogenic Bacteria become antibiotic resistant then many diseases may become untreatable and thousands could die.
Reducing the Chances of Antibiotic Resistance
There are a number of precautions we can take to reduce the chance of Pathogenic Bacteria gaining antibiotic resistance. These include:
- Only giving antibiotics for serious infections that are known to be caused by Pathogenic Bacteria.
- Increased hygiene in hospitals.
- Quarantine people with antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria.
- Stop using antibiotics on livestock.
Examples
- MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus are a strain of bacteria which is not affected by a common antibiotic known as Methicillin.
- Super Gonorrhea - This sexually transmitted disease is resistant to many common antibiotics.