Question 1: Define antibiotics and describe their primary function in medicine.

Answer: Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms or synthetically that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, used to treat bacterial infections.

Question 2: Explain the process of industrial fermentation used to produce penicillin.

Answer: Industrial fermentation involves cultivating Penicillium fungi in controlled bioreactors with specific nutrients, allowing the fungi to produce penicillin, which is then extracted and purified for medical use.

Question 3: What are the advantages of producing antibiotics industrially rather than extracting them from natural sources?

Answer: Industrial production allows for large-scale, consistent, and cost-effective manufacturing, reducing reliance on limited natural sources.

Question 4: Calculate the concentration of an antibiotic solution if 50 grams are dissolved in 2 litres of water. (Use formula: concentration = mass/volume; units: g/L).

Answer: 25 g/L

Question 5: Identify two safety precautions that must be considered during industrial fermentation processes.

Answer: Maintaining sterile conditions to prevent contamination and controlling temperature to optimise microbial activity.

Question 6: In a scenario, a batch of bacteria develops resistance to an antibiotic. Suggest two possible industrial or scientific responses to address this issue.

Answer: Scientists can develop new antibiotics with different mechanisms of action, or modify existing antibiotics to overcome resistance. Industries may also implement stricter quality control and rotation of antibiotics used to reduce resistance development.

Question 7: Describe how antibiotics selectively target bacteria without harming human cells.

Answer: Antibiotics target specific bacterial structures or enzymes, such as cell wall synthesis or protein production, which are different or absent in human cells, allowing selective toxicity.

Question 8: Explain why antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.

Answer: Viruses lack the cellular structures targeted by antibiotics, such as cell walls or certain enzymes, so antibiotics cannot affect viral replication.

Question 9: Identify the main difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics.

Answer: Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria directly, while bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth, allowing the immune system to eliminate the infection.

Question 10: Discuss one ethical concern related to the industrial production of antibiotics.

Answer: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance, posing ethical concerns about public health and the sustainability of antibiotic effectiveness.