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Bacteria Bite Back
After reading the article, “Bacteria Bite Back,”
answer the following questions in the space
provided.
1. What is an antibiotic?
A drug that kills bacteria, often by interfering
with the cell wall or bacterium metabolism.
2. What does CDC stand for, and where is the
CDC located?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention in
Atlanta, GA.
3. What was the force behind the evolution of
new, antibiotic resistant microbes?
Antibiotic drugs used to treat bacterial infection
gave rise to antibiotic resistant strains of
bacteria. USE AND OVERUSE, AND MISUSE.
4. List three types of bacteria, and the diseases
they cause, that have become resistant to
antibiotics.
1. Enterococcus faecalis - can cause urinary
tract, bile duct, and wound infections.
2. Staphylococcus aureus – most common
infection causing bacteria in hospitals, creates
wound infections, blood poisoning, and
pneumonia.
3. Mycobacterium tuberculosis – causes
tuberculosis
4. Pseudomonas aeruginosa – pneumonia
Enterococcus faecalis – urinary tract and blood
infections
5. Describe how the antibiotics penicillin and
tetracycline work to kill bacteria.
Penicillin “busts” the bacterial wall.
Tetracycline cripples the bacteria’s ability to
reproduce (metabolism)
DESTROY STRUCTURE OR MESS UP
METABOLISM.
6. Who is most likely to die from antibiotic
resistant bacteria?
The very young, the very old, and those with
compromised immune systems.
7. List and describe three ways that ordinary
bacteria can get antibiotic-resistant genes from
other bacteria, and turn into “superbugs.”
1. Antibiotic-resistant genes are often found on
plasmids (circular DNA). Plasmids can transfer
from one type of bacteria to a different kind, as
long as the germs are in contact.
2. When a bacterium dies, it can release its
insides into the immediate environment. A
nearby bacterium can absorb a drug-resistant
gene from the dead bacterium.
3. Some viruses that infect bacteria can extract
a gene from one bacterium and inject it into
another bacterium.
SHARE THEIR DNA WITH EACH OTHER!
8. Why is it imperative to follow the dosage
prescribed by the doctor when taking
antibiotics?
Each day an antibiotic is taken it kills a certain
amount of bacterial cells. The more susceptible
(weaker) bacteria are killed first. The more
resistant (stronger) bacteria are the last to be
killed. If the medications is not completed, the
resistant (stronger) bacteria are the ones that
reproduce.
THE WEAK DIE FIRST, THE STRONG
SURVIVE LONGER.
9. Explain why it is not necessary for most
people to use antibacterial soaps.
Soap will get rid of bacteria, there is no need for
antibacterial soaps outside of a medical facility.
10. Why is it important to NOT prescribe
antibiotics to treat viral infections?
Antibiotics do not work on viruses. When
antibiotics are given to treat viruses, they
inadvertently (accidentally) help bacteria to
gain resistance to the antibiotic prescribed.
11. How does the antibiotic linezolid work to
kill bacteria?
Linezolid disables a bacterium’s RNA. As a
result, the cell starves to death. Linezolid
targets specific genes in the bacterial cell that
would help the bacterium to develop resistance
to an antibiotic.