Read the passage and answer the following questions.
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Antibiotics have provided mankind with the means to treat many common bacterial infections efficiently. However, massive use of antibiotics since their introduction as medicines has led to increased occurrence and spread of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. That is, the medicine will no longer kill the bacteria. Antibiotics do NOT work on viruses like Covid.
The Rise of Resistant Bacteria
Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to protect themselves against the effects of an antibiotic. In the presence of the antibiotic, resistant bacteria will survive and increase in numbers. From a clinical perspective, resistance means that a bacterial colony can continue to grow even when being treated with a typical dose of antibiotics.
There are two ways that bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance:
1. Mutations in the bacterial DNA may provide resistance by chance.
2. Alternatively, they can receive resistance genes from other bacteria nearby.
Once a bacterium has an antibiotic resistance gene, it can be passed on to coming generations as the bacterium divides.
Bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. What is happening to the antibiotics that are being used by doctors?
(1 point)
Responses
They are becoming more effective in fighting bacteria
They are becoming more effective in fighting bacteria
They are becoming less effective in fighting bacteria
They are becoming less effective in fighting bacteria
[They no longer work at all
[They no longer work at all
They are becoming deadly
They are becoming deadly
Question 2
What is the name of the medicines designed to fight bacterial infections? (1 point)
Responses
Antidiuretics
Antidiuretics
Antihistamines
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
Antidepressants
Antibiotics
Antibiotics
Question 3
Bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. What is happening to the antibiotics that are being used by doctors? (1 point)
Responses
They are becoming more effective in fighting bacteria
They are becoming more effective in fighting bacteria
They are becoming less effective in fighting bacteria
They are becoming less effective in fighting bacteria
They no longer work at all
They no longer work at all
They are becoming deadly
They are becoming deadly
Question 4
When the antibiotics don't kill the resistant bacteria, what happens to the next generations of bacteria? (1 point)
Responses
Even though they are the "babies" of the resistant bacteria, they DO NOT get resistance gene and are unable to survive against the antibiotics.
Even though they are the "babies" of the resistant bacteria, they DO NOT get resistance gene and are unable to survive against the antibiotics.
Since they are the "babies" of the resistant bacteria, they also have the resistance gene and are able to survive against the antibiotics. Then they have "babies" that are also resistant, and the number of resistant bacteria grows and grows.
Since they are the "babies" of the resistant bacteria, they also have the resistance gene and are able to survive against the antibiotics. Then they have "babies" that are also resistant, and the number of resistant bacteria grows and grows.
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Question 5
Explain why the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a cause for concern.
1. Antibiotics may no longer be effective in treating common bacterial infections. This can lead to longer-lasting illness and potentially life-threatening conditions.
2. The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can make it more challenging to control and prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases.
3. There may be a need to develop new antibiotics or alternative treatments to combat infections caused by resistant bacteria. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process.
4. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be more difficult and costly to treat, leading to a strain on healthcare resources.
Overall, the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a significant threat to public health and emphasizes the importance of responsible antibiotic use.