Describe how the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a danger to human health, and explain one way in which this danger can be reduced.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA, have become increasingly common in hospitals. Doctors are concerned that some bacterial infections may soon be impossible to treat.
Model answer (4 marks)
Antibiotic‑resistant bacteria survive treatment and are not killed by antibiotics.
They reproduce and spread to other people, making infections difficult or impossible to treat.
One way to reduce this danger is to prescribe antibiotics only when necessary, for example not for viral infections.
This reduces the number of bacteria exposed to antibiotics, lowering the selection pressure that favours the growth of resistant strains.
They reproduce and spread to other people, making infections difficult or impossible to treat.
One way to reduce this danger is to prescribe antibiotics only when necessary, for example not for viral infections.
This reduces the number of bacteria exposed to antibiotics, lowering the selection pressure that favours the growth of resistant strains.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms ‘survive treatment’, ‘reproduce and spread’, ‘prescribe only when necessary’.
- Show the cause–effect link between reduced exposure and lower selection pressure.
Common mistakes
- Confusing ‘resistant bacteria’ with ‘normal bacteria’.
- Failing to explain why limiting prescriptions reduces resistance.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria survive treatment / are not killed by antibiotics
- Resistant bacteria reproduce / spread (to other people), making infections difficult or impossible to treat
- One valid way to reduce the danger — e.g. only prescribe antibiotics when necessary / do not prescribe for viral infections
- Explanation of why that method reduces the danger — e.g. fewer bacteria are exposed to antibiotics so there is less selection pressure for resistant strains to develop and increase in number
Key terms in this question
antibiotic-resistant bacteria · antibiotic
Related
- All WJEC GCSE Biology (Wales) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Describe" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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