Antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Biology Research Task- Lucy Kerslake
What causes antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic is no longer effective against a particular bacteria, making that organism resistant to the effects of the antibiotic. Bacteria become resistant due to selective pressure. Those organisms which resist the antibiotic, and do not die from it 's effects have a greater chance of survival within the host, therefore allowing them to reproduce and spread it 's resistance to other bacteria. while the ones susceptible to the antibiotics die. This can be caused by unnecessary use of antibiotics (treating viral infections, overuse of antibiotics, using without a prescription).
Bacteria can become resistant in three ways. They may have a natural immunity, but they may also have a gene mutation, or acquire resistance from another bacterium. Resistance can be acquired by the transferal of genetic material from one bacterium to another through DNA loops called plasmids. This resistance spreads through generations of bacteria, from passing the resistance genes from parent to it 's offspring, or by sharing genetic information between bacteria of the same generation. Resistant bacteria can also be spread from host to host, through being airborne or waterborne (coughing, spitting, contact with unclean body or hands etc).
Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance can be treated and further prevented by these measures: - Minimise unnecessary or overprescription of antibiotics (Taking without a prescription, use of antibiotics for viral infections etc). This reduces the risk of overexposure to bacteria that may become resistant. - Complete the entire course of medication, not just until symptoms die down. This ensures that any surviving bacteria not killed by uncompleted antibiotics courses do not develop resistance to that medication. - Ensure good hygiene and proper control and prevention of infection (washing hands, covering
What causes antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when an antibiotic is no longer effective against a particular bacteria, making that organism resistant to the effects of the antibiotic. Bacteria become resistant due to selective pressure. Those organisms which resist the antibiotic, and do not die from it 's effects have a greater chance of survival within the host, therefore allowing them to reproduce and spread it 's resistance to other bacteria. while the ones susceptible to the antibiotics die. This can be caused by unnecessary use of antibiotics (treating viral infections, overuse of antibiotics, using without a prescription).
Bacteria can become resistant in three ways. They may have a natural immunity, but they may also have a gene mutation, or acquire resistance from another bacterium. Resistance can be acquired by the transferal of genetic material from one bacterium to another through DNA loops called plasmids. This resistance spreads through generations of bacteria, from passing the resistance genes from parent to it 's offspring, or by sharing genetic information between bacteria of the same generation. Resistant bacteria can also be spread from host to host, through being airborne or waterborne (coughing, spitting, contact with unclean body or hands etc).
Preventing Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance can be treated and further prevented by these measures: - Minimise unnecessary or overprescription of antibiotics (Taking without a prescription, use of antibiotics for viral infections etc). This reduces the risk of overexposure to bacteria that may become resistant. - Complete the entire course of medication, not just until symptoms die down. This ensures that any surviving bacteria not killed by uncompleted antibiotics courses do not develop resistance to that medication. - Ensure good hygiene and proper control and prevention of infection (washing hands, covering
Bibliography: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Antibiotic_resistant_bacteria http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733831049 http://www.tufts.edu/med/apua/about_issue/about_antibioticres.shtml