Thursday, January 6, 2011

Core A, Micro-life, Week 6

You have 3 tasks to complete for this week's BLOG. Copy the blog into a word document and save it before you begin!

A.     Read the article below and describe 3 ways antibiotics work to stop infections and explain the 3 risk factors associated with antibiotic use.
Antibiotics work by killing off or damaging the bacteria infecting the patient’s body. Infections can only take a strong-hold if the bacterium that causes them is allowed to reproduce. It is the rapid reproduction of bacteria that enables an infection to harm the body.
The antibiotic Penicillin interferes with the construction of bacterial cell walls during formation, allowing the bacteria’s organelles to leak out, which effectively kills the bacteria. Other forms of antibiotics actually poison bacterial components, destroying the proteins they need to reproduce. And yet other types of the drug interfere with the genetic code necessary for the bacteria to reproduce.
The risky factor when new antibiotics are developed is ensuring they do not actually destroy the body's useful bacteria. If this happens in a patient, he or she is then diagnosed as having what is medically described as a secondary infection. But the most troublesome quandary of the antibiotic research and development scientist is that bacteria continually adapt, evolve and build resistance. Therefore the production of new, more effective antibiotics is an ongoing struggle.

B.   Below is a data table containing information about common antibiotics used to treat infections.  You are to investigate what types of disease these drugs are used against and list any side effects.  Use this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_antibiotics

Antibiotic
Brand Name
Used Against
Side Effects
Amoxicillin
Amoxil, Polymox, Wymox, Trimox


Ampicillin
Unasyn



Ceftriaxone
Rocephin

Infections of the skin and urinary tract.
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea, Nausea, Allergic reactions

Tetracycline




Erythromycin
Akne-mycin, Eryderm, Ergyl, Erythrocin, staticin



Monocycline
Minocin

Acne, amoebic dysentery, anthrax, cholera, respiratory infections
Gastrointestinal upset, Sensitivity to sunlight, Potential toxicity to mother and fetus during pregnancy, Enamel hypoplasia staining of teeth

Penicillin
Various names




C.   Use the link below to learn about good bacteria. Pick 3 and explain why they are considered good.  http://www.livestrong.com/article/26093-list-good-bacteria/

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