6.3.6-7 - Extinction & Resistant Bacteria

What is extinction?

Where there are no individuals of a species still alive.

State the factors that may lead to extinctions.

• New diseases.

• Predation.

• Competition.

• Changes to the environment.

• Catastrophic events.

What enables bacteria to evolve quickly?

The fast rate of their reproduction.

Outline the process of antibiotic resistance bacteria evolving.

• Mutations occur in bacteria producing genetic variation.

• Certain strains are resistant to antibiotics and aren’t killed when the antibiotic is applied.

• Resistant strains survive and reproduce.

• Over time, the population of the resistant strains increase.

Why are resistant strains of bacteria dangerous?

People have no immunity to them and there is no effective treatment.

State an example of a resistant strain of bacteria.

MRSA.

What can be done to reduce the rate of development of antibiotic resistant bacteria?

• Refrain from inappropriately prescribing antibiotics e.g. for viral diseases.

• Patients should complete the prescribed course of antibiotics.

• Restrict agricultural uses of antibiotics.

Why is it difficult to keep up with emerging resistance strains?

Developing antibiotics have a high cost and take a long time to develop.