B14- Drugs Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is variation in biology?
Differences in characteristics between individuals of the same species.
What causes genetic variation?
Inherited differences in DNA.
What causes environmental variation?
Factors like climate, lifestyle, or diet.
What is mutation?
A random change in DNA that can cause a new trait.
What is natural selection?
Organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more.
Who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Charles Darwin.
What is evolution?
A gradual change in the traits of a population over time.
What is selective breeding?
Humans choosing which organisms to reproduce for specific traits.
What is antibiotic resistance?
When bacteria develop the ability to survive antibiotics.
What causes antibiotic resistance?
Random mutations and overuse of antibiotics.
What is a superbug?
A strain of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics.
What is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a superbug that causes hard-to-treat infections.
Why is MRSA dangerous?
It resists common antibiotics and can cause severe infections like sepsis.
Where is MRSA commonly spread?
Hospitals and communities through cuts, wounds, and contaminated surfaces.
How can the spread of MRSA be prevented?
Handwashing, proper wound care, not sharing personal items.
What happened to MRSA hospitalization rates in the US between 2010 and 2014?
They decreased by 16%, mainly due to fewer skin infections.
Which MRSA infections stayed high?
Sepsis and pneumonia.
What is sepsis?
A dangerous body-wide reaction to infection that can cause organ failure.
Why is finishing a course of antibiotics important?
To kill all bacteria and prevent resistance from developing.
What is MSSA?
Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus – a treatable strain of the same bacteria.
What is a strain in biology?
A genetic variant of a microorganism.
What is pneumonia?
A lung infection that causes fluid buildup in the air sacs.
Why are patients in hospitals more vulnerable to MRSA?
Weakened immunity, open wounds, and IV lines increase infection risk.
Why is overusing antibiotics a problem?
It increases the spread of resistant bacteria.
