2.5 Antibiotics Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are bacteria?
Prokaryotic, unicellular microorganisms
Bacteria are single-celled organisms without a nucleus.
What results in a bacterial infection?
The presence and growth of harmful bacteria on or inside the body.
What is the purpose of Gram-staining?
To identify characteristics of bacteria in order to work out the best treatment.
How can bacteria be classified based on Gram-staining?
As gram-positive or gram-negative.
What are the characteristics of gram-positive bacteria?
Thick cell walls and show blue or purple.
What are the characteristics of gram-negative bacteria?
Thin cell walls and show pink or red.
What are common examples of gram-positive bacteria?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Bacillus anthracis
What are common examples of gram-negative bacteria?
- Escherichia coli
- Salmonella
- Vibrio cholerae
Why are gram-negative bacteria significant public health concerns?
Due to their high resistance to antibiotics.
Where do most antibiotics come from?
They are taken from bacteria.
How do antibiotics work?
They kill bacteria or prevent them from multiplying.
What are two ways antibiotics can block bacterial functions?
- Block important metabolic processes
- Make holes in the cell wall
True or False: Antibiotics improve the symptoms of a cold or the flu.
False.
What happens when antibiotics block metabolic processes in bacteria?
Causes errors in protein synthesis or stops protein production.
What can antibiotics do to the bacterial cell wall?
Weaken the cell wall until the cell bursts.
What is antibiotic resistance?
When bacteria change to protect themselves from an antibiotic.
How can bacteria develop antibiotic resistance?
Through gene mutations or by contact with resistant bacteria.
What has the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned about antibiotic resistance?
It is one of the top 10 greatest threats to global public health.
What is a superbug?
Harmful bacteria that have acquired resistance to one or more antibiotics.
What is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
A bacteria that is tougher to treat due to resistance to many antibiotics.
What is a vaccine?
A weakened form of a disease that enables immunity without causing illness.
What do vaccines trigger the production of in the body?
Antibodies.
What is herd immunity?
When a high percentage of the population is vaccinated, preventing disease spread.
What happens during a secondary immune response?
Antibodies quickly reproduce and destroy the virus.
