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Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Antibiotics

I can explain what antibiotics are, and how they should be used to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Antibiotics

I can explain what antibiotics are, and how they should be used to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Antibiotics are medicines that can only be used to treat bacterial infections; they do not work against viruses.
  2. Some antibiotics work by stopping bacteria developing a cell wall.
  3. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, and resistance can spread if antibiotics are not used correctly.
  4. Antibiotics must only be taken when they are prescribed by a doctor.
  5. Do not take antibiotics for the wrong reasons and always complete the prescribed course.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that antibiotics work on all pathogens.

Antibiotics only kill bacteria. Antibiotics can only kill certain bacteria and so the doctor will prescribe the correct one.

Keywords

  • Antibiotics - Antibiotics are substances that slow down or stop the growth of bacteria

  • Bacteria - Single celled prokaryotes.

  • Cell wall - Made of murein which is strong enough to withstand osmotic pressure but also allow substances to pass through.

  • Antibiotic resistance - When bacteria mutate and become less susceptible to the action of antibiotics.

It would be easy to say that intensive farming should be stopped due to animal welfare. However, in order to keep up with the demand for meat, farmers have to use different ways to keep the costs down.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Label the parts of the bacterial cell.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:A,flagellum

flagellum

Correct Answer:B,cell wall

cell wall

Correct Answer:C,cytoplasm

cytoplasm

Q2.
Plant cells and bacterial cells have a cell wall. Select the function of the cell wall.
Correct answer: provides support and structure
controls the activities of the cell
contains chlorophyll for photosynthesis
is the site of respiration
Q3.
A change in the sequence of nucleotide bases in the DNA of the genome is called a .
An image in a quiz
gene
double helix
Correct answer: mutation
chromosome
Q4.
What is a pathogen?
Correct answer: a microorganism that causes disease
any organism that causes disease
an insect that damages plants
a bacterium that lives in your digestive system
Q5.
Which diseases are caused by bacteria?
cancer
flu
Correct answer: gonorrhoea
common cold
Correct answer: tuberculosis
Q6.
Do bacteria reproduce asexually or sexually?
Correct answer: asexually
sexually

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True of false? Antibiotics will cure the flu.
true
Correct answer: false
Q2.
Some antibiotics, including penicillin, work by preventing the formation of the bacterial .
Correct Answer: cell wall
Q3.
True or false? Antibiotic resistance means that the bacteria are immune to the antibiotic.
true
Correct answer: false
Q4.
Who is incorrect?
Correct answer: Antibiotics can cure any bacterial infection.
Antibiotic resistance is a major health issue.
Correct answer: You can develop antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotics are a drug.
Different antibiotics should be used to treat different infections.
Q5.
How can we reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance?
Correct answer: Only use antibiotics when necessary.
Correct answer: Use specific antibiotics to treat specific infections.
Never take antibiotics.
Correct answer: Finish the full course of antibiotics.
Stop taking antibiotics when you feel better.
Q6.
Starting with a mutation arising, put these steps in order to show how antibiotic resistance develops.
1 - A random mutation takes place in the DNA of a bacterium.
2 - The mutation gives the bacterium resistance to the antibiotic.
3 - When the bacterium reproduces it passes on the mutation to the next generation.
4 - Many bacteria are now resistant to the antibiotic.