Changing Pathogens
Pages 38–39
B1 1.8 Changing pathogens
What is a mutation?
The changing of the structure of a gene
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is a type of drug resistance where a microorganism is able to survive exposure to an antibiotic.
What is the scientific name for this process? methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Why is bacterial resistance a problem?
Because they can cause diseases.
What has led to an increase in the amount of bacterial resistance?
Because the particles have grown over time.
HIGHER
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Describe how a bacterial strain becomes resistant to two antibiotics.
Spontaneous mutation in the bacterium’s DNA and Transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes.
Why should doctors not give antibiotics for illnesses that are probably caused by viruses?
The MRSA story
How did MRSA develop?
MRSA is a superbug that originated in hospitals.
Give an example of how MRSA often spreads?
MRSA spreads from person to person usually by direct skin-to-skin contact.
What steps can we take to reduce the spread of microorganisms?
Washing your hands regularly.
Mutation and pandemics
Why can new strains of pathogen spread quickly?
What is an epidemic?
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time
What is a pandemic?
A disease prevalent over a whole country or the world
Why are pandemics potentially more likely now than they were 100 years ago?
Because they are becoming more immune to antibiotics.
B1 1.8 Changing pathogens
What is a mutation?
The changing of the structure of a gene
What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance is a type of drug resistance where a microorganism is able to survive exposure to an antibiotic.
What is the scientific name for this process? methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Why is bacterial resistance a problem?
Because they can cause diseases.
What has led to an increase in the amount of bacterial resistance?
Because the particles have grown over time.
HIGHER
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Describe how a bacterial strain becomes resistant to two antibiotics.
Spontaneous mutation in the bacterium’s DNA and Transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes.
Why should doctors not give antibiotics for illnesses that are probably caused by viruses?
The MRSA story
How did MRSA develop?
MRSA is a superbug that originated in hospitals.
Give an example of how MRSA often spreads?
MRSA spreads from person to person usually by direct skin-to-skin contact.
What steps can we take to reduce the spread of microorganisms?
Washing your hands regularly.
Mutation and pandemics
Why can new strains of pathogen spread quickly?
What is an epidemic?
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time
What is a pandemic?
A disease prevalent over a whole country or the world
Why are pandemics potentially more likely now than they were 100 years ago?
Because they are becoming more immune to antibiotics.