Antibiotic resistance

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/antibiotic-resistance

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary mechanisms of resistance?Enzymatic degradation, target modification, reduced permeability, efflux pumps, and bypass pathways
2. What is the related scientific disciplines?Molecular biology, evolutionary biology, epidemiology, public health, and pharmacology
3. How do germs become super strong against antibiotics?Germs can pick up new resistance genes from other germs through tiny DNA pieces called plasmids, jumping genes, or viruses that infect bacteria. They can also change their own DNA by mutation, which helps them dodge the medicine.
4. Why do doctors sometimes give antibiotics when they don't help?Doctors sometimes give antibiotics for illnesses that are caused by viruses, even though the medicine won't work. This extra use helps germs learn to resist the medicine.

Horizontal Gene Transfer: The movement of genetic material between organisms, allowing bacteria to share resistance genes.
Antimicrobial Stewardship: Coordinated efforts to optimize antibiotic use and preserve their effectiveness against infections.
Plasmid: A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that can carry genes for antibiotic resistance.