Topic Four (1.4): Antibiotics 2

Topics Icon.png Objectives

By the end of this topic you should be able to:

  • describe what is meant by antibiotic resistance;
  • describe some methods for preventing the spread of bacterial infection.

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

Antibiotics were such a success that we may have come to rely on them too much. In this topic you can learn about the development of superbugs, bacteria that are resistant to most if not all antibiotics. You will also look at what other measures can be used to prevent the spread of these bacteria.

Interact Icon.png Working through your course book

  • Some bacteria have become resistant to most antibiotics; this means that antibiotics can no longer kill them. Read pages 28–29 to discover how this has happened, and how the spread of them can be prevented and:

VIEW - Controlling Infectious Disease (slides 24-26)

  • This is a form of evolution, which you’ll learn more about in Topic 4.6. Remember that the mutation that gives resistance to an antibiotic is not caused by the antibiotic itself, it just happens randomly! 
  • Print out the activity sheet and cut out the 'card' and arrange them in the order that describes correctly how antibiotic resistance develops:

COMPLETE - B3 2.4 Activity sheet 2: Antibiotic resistance (Kerboodle)

Review Icon.png Review

Answer summary questions 1–3 on page 29.

Bridge Icon.png Support activities for this topic

WATCH - What causes antibiotic resistance? - Kevin Wu (Ted Ed - YouTube)

Stretch Icon.png Extension activities for this topic

If you would like an extra challenge:

COMPLETE - ‘What Am I?’ worksheet

 Download Icon-1.png Check your answers

CHECK - Student Book Answers - Biology 3 Chapter 2