DrugsCambridge IGCSE Biology: Flashcards

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Define what a drug is.

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Define what a drug is.: A drug is any substance taken into the body that modifies or affects chemical reactions in the body.
What is the primary use of antibiotics?: Antibiotics are used for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Name one example of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.: MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
What is antibiotic resistance?: Antibiotic resistance is when some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, which reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections.
Explain how antibiotic resistance develops.: Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria with genes that confer resistance survive antibiotic treatment and reproduce, passing resistant genes to offspring. This occurs through natural selection.
Can antibiotics be used to treat viral infections? Explain your answer.: No. Antibiotics kill bacteria but do not affect viruses, so they are ineffective against viral infections.
Why is it important to use antibiotics only when essential?: Using antibiotics only when essential can limit the development of resistant bacteria, such as MRSA, by reducing the selection pressure on bacterial populations.
What is the difference between how antibiotics affect bacteria and viruses?: Antibiotics kill bacteria by disrupting their cell processes, but they do not affect viruses because viruses have different structures and replication methods.
Define antibiotic resistance in terms of bacterial survival.: Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them or inhibit their growth.
How does overuse of antibiotics contribute to the spread of resistance?: Overuse of antibiotics increases the chance that resistant bacteria will be selected for and survive, allowing them to reproduce and spread their resistant genes to other bacteria.
State two ways to limit the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.: Use antibiotics only when essential and complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed to prevent surviving bacteria from developing resistance.
Why do antibiotics not work against viruses?: Antibiotics target specific bacterial structures and processes (such as cell walls or protein synthesis) that viruses do not possess.
What happens to the effectiveness of antibiotics when resistance develops?: The effectiveness of antibiotics is reduced because resistant bacteria survive and continue to cause infection despite antibiotic treatment.
Name a consequence of widespread antibiotic resistance.: Widespread antibiotic resistance makes it harder to treat bacterial infections, leading to prolonged illness, increased healthcare costs, and potentially untreatable infections.
Explain the difference between a drug and a medicine.: A drug is any substance that modifies chemical reactions in the body; a medicine is a drug used therapeutically to treat, prevent, or cure disease.