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Resistance to antibiotics in bacteria is controlled by genes.

Unit 1 - Resistance of Pathogens to Antibiotics (H)

This GCSE Biology quiz looks at antibiotic resistance, showing how mutations and natural selection can make some pathogens survive treatment while others are killed.

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Fascinating Fact:

When an antibiotic is used, susceptible bacteria are killed or slowed, but resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, increasing the resistant population.

In GCSE Biology, you learn that antibiotic resistance develops when random mutations and selection pressures allow some pathogens to survive treatment. These resistant strains then spread, making infections harder to treat.

Key Terms

Pathogen: A microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus or fungus, that causes disease.
Antibiotic resistance: When bacteria are no longer killed or slowed by an antibiotic that used to be effective against them.
Selection pressure: A factor, such as antibiotic use, that makes some organisms more likely to survive and reproduce than others.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is antibiotic resistance in GCSE Biology?

Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria change so that antibiotics no longer kill them or stop them growing. Resistant strains then survive treatment and can spread to other people.

How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

Bacteria become resistant through random mutations in their DNA. When antibiotics are used, resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, so the resistant genes become more common in the population.

Why is the overuse of antibiotics a problem?

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics give more chances for resistant bacteria to be selected. This can lead to infections that are difficult to treat and require stronger or fewer available drugs.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which of the following would be the usual medical advice for a sore throat?

Take antibiotics

Bed rest, fluids and antibiotics

Avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary

Pain killers, antibiotics and throat spray

Honey can help soothe a sore throat, your immune system deals with the infection

2 .

Resistance to antibiotics in bacteria is controlled by what?

Hormones

White blood cells

Genes

Viruses

Scientists are constantly developing new antibiotics to deal with these resistant strains of bacteria

3 .

Antibiotic resistance can lead to what?

New viral strains

Bacteria which are immune to antibiotics

Viruses which are resistant to antibiotics

New strains of bacteria which cannot be destroyed

Dangerous strains of bacteria are possible due to antibiotic resistance

4 .

Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria spread quickly. Why is this?

Because they have a selective advantage and are better adapted

Because they are not adapted to survive

Because they have lower optimum temperature

Because they do not grow in the presence of the antibiotic

It is for this reason that antibiotics should only be prescribed when absolutely necessary - the fewer strains of resistant bacteria, the better

5 .

Why can it be dangerous if you do not complete your course of antibiotics?

The bacteria may all die

Not all of the bacteria are killed so the infection continues

The remaining bacteria may become resistant

You become immune to the antibiotic

Resistant bacteria cannot be killed using antibiotics

6 .

Individual pathogens survive, reproduce and can form new strains by which process?

The process of natural selection

The process of natural wastage

The process of unnatural means

The process of sexual reproduction

Bacteria reproduce rapidly. Amongst the new generations, there will be some bacteria whose genes have mutated - natural selection does the rest

7 .

What does MRSA stand for?

Medically resistant susceptible antibiotics

Methicillin-resistant Streptococcus antibodies

Multiple resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Soap and water, alcohol based hand gels and bleach can all destroy this dangerous bacteria

8 .

How have we slowed down the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

By ignoring the problem

With more careful prescribing of antibiotics

By banning antibiotics

By inventing new painkillers

Resistant strains are encouraged to develop by the overuse of antibiotics

9 .

What do we call individual pathogens which antibiotics can kill?

Pathogens which are non-resistant

Pathogens which are non-immune

Pathogens which are non-pathogenic

Pathogens which are non-living

Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria only but some will kill infections of single celled parasites like Giardia

10 .

How have doctors tried to reduce antibiotic resistance?

By prescribing more antibiotics

By prescribing weaker antibiotics

By prescribing fewer antibiotics

By not giving antibiotics at all

Doctors prescribe antibiotics only when the body has not been able to fight off a bacterial infection on its own

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Treating, curing and preventing disease

Author: Donna Davidson (GCSE Biology Teacher & Examiner, Quiz Writer)

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