Antibiotics and Resistance
Second Semester
Lesson 1.2.1: Antibiotic Therapy
During this activity, we were able to see the structure of bacteria. We also had to capability to investigate the different types of antibiotics which included penicillin, tetracycline, fluoroquinolone, and sulfa. We had to research the way that they worked against the bacteria and which specific bacteria that they target. We also were trying to figure out what was happening with Sue Smith and which antibiotics she should receive. We were told to make a bacterium and label the different structures and functions within that cell. Also, we needed to label antibiotics and state how they worked in the body and bacterium.
An antibiotics effectiveness is completely dependent on the action of the drug on the structure of the bacterium in the body. Antibiotics are essential medicines that help fight off all the different diseases and infections that we have the potential of getting. It stops them from potentially harming us immensely. Antibiotics do not fight the infections that are caused by viruses. Actually, if a person has a virus, taking antibiotics might make the virus worsen and thus the person will feel sicker. It is important to take antibiotics as instructed by your doctor to avoid antibiotic resistance.
Lesson 1.2.1: Antibiotic Therapy continued….
Lesson 1.2.1: Antibiotic Therapy continued….
This is a diagram of the bacterium cell that I had to work on with my partner. While doing so, we had to label the structures and what exactly their function was in the body. Also, we were given a list of antibiotics which we had to research and conclude how they worked on a bacterium.
Lesson 1.2.2: Attack of the Superbugs
In this lab we were able to investigate the different mechanisms of DNA transfer. When the DNA being tranferred has an antibiotic gene, this allows the cell that it transferred to to become antibiotic resistant. Genetic information that is transferred can prove to be very beneficial and vital to the DNA. There are three different types of DNA transfer, these include: transformation, vertical transfer, and horizontal transfer which is also known as conjugation.
During this lesson, we did a lab that made us understand the specific steps to conjugation. We did this by separating our bacteria in strain 1 and strain 2. This helps us understand and view bacteria resistance. After we did this, we made a mixed culture with both the strains to see the DNA transfer.
Lesson 1.2.2: Attack of the Superbugs continued...
This is a 3D model that I created with Mohn, Ryan, and Tara. This model illustrates the different ways that a gene can be transferred between cells. We modeled all three types of vertical transfer. Transformation is the assimilation of external DNA into the cell. Horizontal gene transfer is the transfer of gene between organisms traditionally. And lastly, Vertical Transfer is lateral gene transfer from one bacteria to the next. Vertical transfer occurs through binary fission.
Lesson 1.2.2: Attack of the Superbugs continued...
Above shown is the results of bacterial growth from the lab. The plates to the left are the strains 1 and 2. It also shows the mixed culture that is present. Our slides did not grow because we did not put enough sample onto the plates.
Lesson 1.2.2: Attack of the Superbugs continued...
Strain I is strep resistant so it grew on the plate with strep and not amp. Strain II is amp resistant so bacteria grew on the agar containing amp. Because each strain was resistant to at least one of the antibiotics in the agar that contained both, no bacteria grew on the plate containing both strep and amp. Even if the antibiotic that it was resistant to was present, there was still another antibiotic to prevent the growth on the plate.
On the second day of the lab, we started to mix the plates. This enables us to see conjugation because strain 1 and strain 2 were able to transfer their genese directly. This caused them to be antibiotic resistant to either strep and amp. Both the plates showed signs of growth. Our lab was done improperly by our group.
Lesson 1.2.3: When Antibiotics Fail
Antibiotic resistance is defined as the ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive.What causes antibiotic resistance is the misuse of antibiotics. This can be due to not taking them for long enough, or just taking them too often.
In this lab, we obtained a dice and recorded our results on a spreadsheet. If we toss 1, 3, 5, or 6, we took the antibiotic on time, so the bacteria are killed, meaning we remove five "disks" of our bacteria. If 2 or 4 are rolled, we forgot to take an antibiotic. We then repeated this eight times and out group did not kill all of the bacteria.