Antimicrobial Resistance Flashcards

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What does antimicrobial resistance mean?

It means microbes are no longer killed or stopped by a drug. The drug used to work on them before.

What is antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

It is when bacteria are not killed by an antibiotic. The antibiotic used to kill them in the past.

How can a mutation make a bacterium resistant to an antibiotic?

A random change in its DNA can change a protein. This can stop the antibiotic from entering or working. The bacterium then survives.

How does natural selection cause resistant bacteria to become more common?

Antibiotics kill non-resistant bacteria first. Resistant bacteria stay alive and reproduce. Over time most bacteria in the group are resistant.

Give two ways that misuse of antibiotics can lead to more resistance.

People use antibiotics when they are not needed, such as for colds. People also stop their course early, leaving some bacteria alive.

Why should doctors not give antibiotics to treat viral infections?

Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Using them for viruses does not help the patient and helps resistance to spread.

Why are antibiotic-resistant infections a big problem in hospitals?

They are hard to treat, so illness can last longer. They can spread easily between weak patients and may cause death.

What is MRSA and where is it often found?

MRSA is a type of antibiotic-resistant bacterium. It is often found causing infections in hospitals.

How can hospitals reduce the spread of resistant bacteria like MRSA?

Staff wash their hands and use alcohol gels. They clean wards and equipment and may isolate infected patients.

How can members of the public help slow antimicrobial resistance?

Only take antibiotics when a doctor prescribes them. Always finish the full course, even if you feel better.

Why do we need scientists to keep developing new antibiotics?

Some bacteria become resistant to old antibiotics. New antibiotics are needed so we can still treat serious infections.