Module Four, Lecture Thirty Five Flashcards
Antibiotics (15 cards)
What is Selective Toxicity?
The ability of a drug to harm a pathogen without harming the host ( e.g a surgeon targeting only the tumor cells in a patients body, while leaving the healthy cells untouched )
What is the difference between Antibiotics and Antiviral Drugs?
Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, while antivirals are used for viral infections
What is a Bacterial Infection?
Harmful bacteria enter the body and begins to multiply, causing illness
What is a Viral Infection?
A virus enters and multiplies inside your body’s cell
What is the difference between a Virus and Bacteria?
Bacteria are living, single-celled microorganisms capable of independent reproduction, while viruses are non-living, much smaller structures that require a host cell to replicate
Name two examples of Selective Toxicity…
Antibiotics and Antiviral Drugs
What is Penicillin?
A widely used antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections. It is a group of β-lactam antibiotics originally obtained from Penicillium moulds
How does Penicillin work?
Penicillin works by breaking down the bacteria’s cell walls. This weakens the bacteria and helps the body’s natural immune system to fight the infection
What is Antibiotic Resistance?
Occurs when bacteria evolve or develop the ability to withstand the effects of antibiotics, drugs designed to kill or stop the growth of bacteria
What are the causes of Genetic Mutations? ( 3 )
- Errors during DNA replication
- Exposure to environmental mutagens
- Spontaneous events within the cell
What are some ways to reduce the spread of Antimicrobial Resistance ( AMR )? ( 4 )
- Decrease antibiotic utilization
- Improve diagnostics
- Identify new targets
- Combination therapies
Describe what is meant by “Decrease antibiotic utilization”…
Reduce infections and outbreaks through improved hygiene and infrastructure; resist use in agriculture. Replacing antibiotics and using more successful forms of treatment
Describe what is meant by “Improve diagnostics:”…
New methods to identify resistant bacteria can make treatment more effective, and reduce outbreaks
Describe what is meant by “Identify new targets”…
Some cellular pathways are harder for bacteria to bypass or modify, making them ideal targets for new antibiotics
Describe what is meant by “Combination therapies”
Traditional antibiotics can be combined with molecules that block resistance mechanisms
