Drugs and Antibiotic Resistance

Flashcards about drugs, medicinal drugs, and antibiotic resistance.

Define drug.

A substance taken into the body that modifies and affects chemical reactions in the body, usually derived from plants.

What are some functions of drugs?

To cure diseases, heal wounds, cause hallucinations or feelings of excitement, help people live longer, and relieve pain.

What are antibiotics?

Substances that kill bacteria by damaging their cell walls without harming other living cells, often made from fungi (Penicillium sp.).

How do antibiotics work?

By damaging the cell walls of bacteria.

Why do fungi produce antibiotics?

To kill bacteria living near them, as they compete for the same food.

What was the first antibiotic, and what produces it?

Penicillin, produced by the fungus Penicillium sp.

Do antibiotics affect viruses?

No, antibiotics kill bacteria but do not affect viruses.

What is selection pressure in the context of antibiotics?

The pressure exerted on bacteria to become resistant due to the introduction of antibiotics into the body.

Explain how antibiotic resistance develops in bacteria.

When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, most are killed. However, some may have a mutation that makes them resistant. These resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, forming a population of resistant bacteria.

What is MRSA?

A form of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, that has become resistant to several antibiotics, causing infections that are difficult to treat.

How can the development of resistant bacteria like MRSA be minimized?

Use antibiotics only when essential, ensure the treatment is completed, prescribe/use antibiotics less often, not for viral/fungal infections, ensure completion of the antibiotic course, develop new antibiotics, rotate antibiotics, or use combinations of antibiotics. Isolation of patients with antibiotic-resistant infections and good hygiene also helps.

Explain the concept of natural selection in the context of antibiotic resistance.

Bacteria with advantageous characteristics (antibiotic resistance) survive and reproduce, passing the resistance on to offspring.

Define drug.

A substance taken into the body that modifies and affects chemical reactions in the body, usually derived from plants.

What are some functions of drugs?

To cure diseases, heal wounds, cause hallucinations or feelings of excitement, help people live longer, and relieve pain.

What are antibiotics?

Substances that kill bacteria by damaging their cell walls without harming other living cells, often made from fungi (Penicillium sp.).

How do antibiotics work?

By damaging the cell walls of bacteria.

Why do fungi produce antibiotics?

To kill bacteria living near them, as they compete for the same food.

What was the first antibiotic, and what produces it?

Penicillin, produced by the fungus Penicillium sp.

Do antibiotics affect viruses?

No, antibiotics kill bacteria but do not affect viruses.

What is selection pressure in the context of antibiotics?

The pressure exerted on bacteria to become resistant due to the introduction of antibiotics into the body.

Explain how antibiotic resistance develops in bacteria.

When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, most are killed. However, some may have a mutation that makes them resistant. These resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, forming a population of resistant bacteria.

What is MRSA?

A form of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, that has become resistant to several antibiotics, causing infections that are difficult to treat.

How can the development of resistant bacteria like MRSA be minimized?

Use antibiotics only when essential, ensure the treatment is completed, prescribe/use antibiotics less often, not for viral/fungal infections, ensure completion of the antibiotic course, develop new antibiotics, rotate antibiotics, or use combinations of antibiotics. Isolation of patients with antibiotic-resistant infections and good hygiene also helps.

Explain the concept of natural selection in the context of antibiotic resistance.

Bacteria with advantageous characteristics (antibiotic resistance) survive and reproduce, passing the resistance on to offspring.

What are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs?

Medications that can be bought without a prescription directly by consumers from retailers, often used for treating conditions that do not require a doctor's supervision.

What are prescription drugs?

Medications that can only be obtained with a written order from a licensed healthcare provider; ensures medical supervision for potentially dangerous or controlled substances.

Chemical substances