+ Antibiotic Resistance

Discovering Antibiotics Alexander Fleming Left his culture of bacteria exposed overnight. Found that mold growing on the plate seemed to kill the bacteria. Called it penicillin. (Most antibiotics end with –in…amoxicillin, streptomycin, ampicillin)

How do antibiotics work? Kills bacteria by targeting their life processes. Example: Breaks down cell wall Able to target bacteria only- not viruses, cells, or cancerous cells. Different antibiotics target different parts of the bacteria. Example: Some antibiotics can stop a bacteria from breaking down food leaving it to die slowly.

Killing the bacteria Breaks down the cell wall Breaks down the DNA

+ Evolution and Bacteria Slowly bacteria arose that were resistant to penicillin. They were resistant because their DNA was different and allowed them to survive in the presence of penicillin. As these resistant bacteria survived and reproduced there were many bacterial diseases that weren’t cured by penicillin anymore!

+ Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria could also transfer their resistance to other bacteria through: 1.Plasmid Transfer- The bacteria’s circular DNA replicated and transferred to other bacteria. 2.Viral Delivery- A bacteria that was infected by a virus could pass on their DNA through the virus. 3.Free DNA- A Bacteria dies but its DNA is free to join another bacteria.

Example: Staph aureus Staph Infections- Occur most frequently in hospitals. Causes mild infections on the skin, like sores or boils. Also causes infections of surgical wounds, the bloodstream, the lungs, or the urinary tract

MRSA Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Type of staph bacteria that's become resistant Bacteria are resistant to anti-microbial soap and many types of antibiotics.

+ Analogy If bacteria is an army… Once swords were invented…they invented armor Once guns were invented…they invented bullet proof vests Once biological warfare was invented…they invented gas masks. They are always trying to make it harder to kill them.

+ What can I do? Don’t use anti-microbial gels like Germ-X too often. It adds to the resistance of bacteria. When you take an antibiotic you have to finish the whole bottle. By not finishing the bottle you are leaving the strongest most resistant bacteria to survive. Don’t take antibiotics unless you have to.