Module 4: Drugs

Question 1

State two possible sources of new drugs

Answer 1

Plants

Microorganisms

Question 2

Linked to finding new drugs, explain why it is important that we maintain biodiversity

Answer 2

Only a small oortion of plants and microorganisms have been studies.
If we don’t maintain biodiversity, species could become extinct before we find any useful compounds in them.

Question 3

Explain why antibiotics are useful

Answer 3

Antibiotics kill bacteria
Therefore used to treat bacterial infections.
Since the mid 20th century. For example Penicillin.

Question 4

Describe how bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics

Answer 4

A random DNA mutation makes some of the bacteria resistant to the antibiotic.
When the antibiotic is taken the bacteria that are not resistant die.
Only the resistant bacteria are left.
They reproduce asexually
And pass on the alleles for the resistance
The allele frequency increases
And eventually the whole population of bacteria is resistant.

Question 5

State the names of two bacteria that show antibiotic resistance. For each one state the part of the body that it infects.

Answer 5

MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
Infects wounds
Clostridium difficile
Infects the digestive system

Question 6

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