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Exam questions · Biology · Defence Against Disease

Antibiotics and Painkillers

  • 7 exam questions
  • 19 marks
  • 8 quick checks
  1. 1 State [1 mark]

    Name an antibiotic.

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    Model answer

    Penicillin (accept any named antibiotic).

    Mark scheme

    • Penicillin — 1 mark
  2. 2 Explain [2 marks]

    Explain why antibiotics cannot be used to treat a cold.

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    Model answer

    A cold is caused by a virus, and antibiotics do not kill viruses. Viruses live inside body cells, so an antibiotic cannot reach them without harming the cells.

    Mark scheme

    • Cold caused by a virus — 1 mark
    • Antibiotics only kill bacteria — 1 mark
  3. 3 Describe [2 marks]

    Describe the difference between how an antibiotic and a painkiller treat a bacterial infection.

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    Model answer

    An antibiotic kills the bacteria in the body, so it cures the disease. A painkiller only reduces the symptoms, such as pain, and does not kill the bacteria.

    Mark scheme

    • Antibiotic kills bacteria — 1 mark
    • Painkiller treats symptoms only — 1 mark
  4. 4 Explain [4 marks]

    Explain how a strain of bacteria can become resistant to an antibiotic.

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    Model answer

    By chance, a mutation produces a bacterium that is resistant to the antibiotic. When the antibiotic is used, it kills the non-resistant bacteria but not the resistant one. The resistant bacterium survives and reproduces, passing on its resistance. The population soon contains mainly resistant bacteria.

    Mark scheme

    • A mutation gives resistance — 1 mark
    • Non-resistant bacteria killed — 1 mark
    • Resistant bacteria survive and reproduce — 1 mark
    • A resistant population — 1 mark
  5. 5 Suggest [3 marks]

    Suggest three ways in which the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria could be slowed down.

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    Model answer

    Doctors should not prescribe antibiotics for viral infections or minor illnesses. Patients should finish the whole course of antibiotics. Good hygiene should be used in hospitals to stop resistant strains spreading.

    Mark scheme

    • Do not overuse / only when needed — 1 mark
    • Complete the course — 1 mark
    • Hygiene to stop spread — 1 mark
  6. 6 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain why it is difficult to develop drugs that kill viruses.

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    Model answer

    Viruses live and reproduce inside the body's own cells. A drug that kills the virus has to get into the cell. It is difficult to do this without also damaging the body's tissues.

    Mark scheme

    • Viruses live inside cells — 1 mark
    • Drug must reach the virus — 1 mark
    • Risk of damaging the body's tissues — 1 mark
  7. 7 Explain [4 marks]

    A patient with a sore throat asks their doctor for antibiotics. The doctor says the infection is caused by a virus. Explain why the doctor does not prescribe antibiotics and what the doctor may suggest instead.

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    Model answer

    Antibiotics do not kill viruses, so they would not cure the infection. Taking them would give bacteria in the body a chance to develop resistance. The doctor may suggest rest and painkillers to reduce the symptoms while the immune system fights the virus.

    Mark scheme

    • Antibiotics do not kill viruses — 1 mark
    • Risk of resistance — 1 mark
    • Painkillers treat the symptoms — 1 mark
    • The immune system deals with the virus — 1 mark

Quick check

  1. 1

    Which medicine kills bacteria inside the body?

    1. AAspirin
    2. BA painkiller
    3. CPenicillin
    4. DA fungicide
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    C: Penicillin

    Antibiotics kill bacteria. Painkillers only reduce symptoms.

  2. 2

    Do antibiotics work against viruses?

    1. AYes, always
    2. BNo
    3. COnly in children
    4. DOnly penicillin does
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    B: No

    Antibiotics only work against bacteria, not against viruses.

  3. 3

    What do painkillers do?

    1. ATreat symptoms
    2. BKill bacteria
    3. CKill viruses
    4. DMake antibodies
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    A: Treat symptoms

    They reduce symptoms such as pain but do not kill pathogens.

  4. 4

    What does resistance to an antibiotic mean?

    1. AThe bacteria are killed faster
    2. BThe bacteria are made weaker
    3. CThe antibiotic is stronger
    4. DThe bacteria are not killed by it
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    D: The bacteria are not killed by it

    Resistant bacteria are not killed by the antibiotic.

  5. 5

    What happens when antibiotics kill most of the bacteria in a population?

    1. AThe population is cured
    2. BThe resistant ones survive and reproduce
    3. CAll the bacteria become viruses
    4. DThe antibiotic becomes stronger
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    B: The resistant ones survive and reproduce

    Any resistant bacteria survive and reproduce, so the population becomes resistant.

  6. 6

    Which action helps to reduce antibiotic resistance?

    1. AStopping the course early
    2. BUsing antibiotics for colds
    3. CFinishing the course
    4. DSharing antibiotics
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    C: Finishing the course

    Finishing the whole course makes sure all the bacteria are killed.

  7. 7

    Why do antibiotics not work against viruses?

    1. AViruses live inside cells
    2. BViruses are too big
    3. CViruses are bacteria
    4. DViruses have cell walls
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    A: Viruses live inside cells

    Viruses live inside cells and do not have the structures that antibiotics attack.

  8. 8

    What is MRSA?

    1. AA type of virus
    2. BA painkiller
    3. CA vaccine
    4. DAn antibiotic-resistant bacterium
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    D: An antibiotic-resistant bacterium

    MRSA is a strain of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics.