Biology IGCSE - Drugs

Drug

Any substance taken into the body that modifies or affects chemical reactions in the body

Antibiotic

A substance that is taken into the body → kills bacteria but does not affect human cells or viruses

Describe use of antibiotics for treatment of bacterial infections

Antibiotics are medicines used to kill bacteria or stop growth → used to treat bacterial infections → not effective against viruses → important to take full course to prevent antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance

When bacteria are no longer killed by an antibiotic

Some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics → reduces effectiveness of antibiotics

Explain how using antibiotics only when essential can limit development of resistant bacteria → e.g. MRSA

Reduces unnecessary exposure to antibiotics → lowers chance of bacteria developing resistance → preventing overuse → can kill non-resistant bacteria → allow resistant ones to survive + multiply → slowing spread of resistant strains by keeping antibiotic use targeted + controlled

MRSA

Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus → bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic methicillin