Fighting Disease — Drugs Flashcards
(18 cards)
Drugs can do one of 2 things, what are they?
Relieve symptoms, or cure the problem
What are painkillers?
Drugs that relieve pain/symptoms. They don’t attack the cause of the disease or kill pathogens.
How do antibiotics work?
Antibiotics kill or prevent the growth of bacteria causing the problem without killing your own body cells. Different antibiotics kill different types of bacteria so it’s important to be treated with the right one
Do antibodies destroy viruses?
No, it’s difficult to develop drugs that destroy just the virus without killing the body’s cells
How can bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?
Bacteria can mutate, and sometimes the mutation cause them to become resistant to antibiotics. If you have an infection, some of the bacteria may be resistant, and this means that when you treat the infection, only the non resistant strains of bacteria will be killed. The individual resistant will survive and reproduce, and their population increases
Give an example of natural selection in fighting disease
Bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics
How is the rate of development of resistant strains decreased?
Doctors avoid over-prescribing antibiotics, so you won’t for minor things, only serious.
Why do you need to finish the full course of antibiotics, and not stop when you feel better?
The bacteria aren’t killed straight away, the weaker ones die first and the stronger, more resistant ones need more antibiotics. If you stop taking antibiotics, the strong, resistant bacteria could come back, and it may resist the antibiotics.
Many drugs originally came from what?
Plants
How are plants used for drugs?
Plants produce a variety of chemicals to defend themselves against pests and pathogens. Some of these chemicals can be used as drugs to treat human diseases or relive symptoms.
What is aspirin used for?
Aspirin is used as a painkiller, and to lower fever.
Where did aspirin come from?
Willow trees/bark
What are digitalis used for?
Digitalis are used to treat heart conditions.
Where did digitalis come from?
Foxgloves
What drug came from mold?
Penicillin
Who discovered penicillin?
Alexander Fleming
How are drugs made now?
On a large scale in the pharmaceutical industry
