Question 1: Explain what antibiotics are and how they help in fighting bacterial infections.

Answer: Antibiotics are substances that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, helping to treat bacterial infections.

Question 1: Describe two different mechanisms by which antibiotics can kill or inhibit bacteria.

Answer: Some antibiotics inhibit cell wall synthesis (e.g., penicillin), while others inhibit protein synthesis (e.g., tetracycline).

Question 2: Fill in the blank: Antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall formation are effective because bacteria have ___________ cell walls compared to human cells.

Answer: peptidoglycan

Question 1: Explain how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Include at least two mechanisms in your answer.

Answer: Bacteria can develop resistance through genetic mutations or by acquiring resistance genes from other bacteria via plasmids. They may produce enzymes that break down antibiotics or alter target sites to prevent antibiotic binding.

Question 1: A doctor prescribes 250 mg of an antibiotic to a patient to be taken three times daily. Calculate the total amount of antibiotic the patient will take in one week.

Answer: Total = 250 mg × 3 times/day × 7 days = 5250 mg

Question 1: List three safety precautions that should be considered when prescribing antibiotics.

Answer: Checking for allergies, completing the full course of treatment, and avoiding unnecessary use to prevent resistance.

Question 1: In a study, bacteria exposed to an antibiotic showed a 50% reduction in growth after 24 hours, but after 72 hours, some bacteria survived despite continued exposure. Explain what this suggests about the bacteria.

Answer: This suggests the bacteria may have developed resistance or some bacteria are tolerant, allowing them to survive despite the antibiotic's presence.

Question 1: Describe how antibiotics are used in agriculture and mention one potential risk associated with their use.

Answer: Antibiotics are used to promote growth and prevent disease in livestock; however, this can lead to the development of resistant bacteria which may transfer to humans.

Question 1: Evaluate the importance of responsible antibiotic use in combating antibiotic resistance. Include at least two reasons in your answer.

Answer: Responsible use is crucial to prevent the development of resistant bacteria, which can render antibiotics ineffective, and to reduce the spread of resistant infections, ensuring antibiotics remain effective for future generations.