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3.11 Antibiotics and painkillers

6 exam questions worth 13 marks. Write your answer, open the mark scheme, then give yourself the marks you earned. Your answers are saved on this device.

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1
Short answer [2 marks]

A doctor does not give antibiotics to a patient with flu. Explain why.

Mark scheme

  • flu is caused by a virus (1)
  • antibiotics do not kill / affect viruses (1)

Model answer

Flu is caused by a virus, and antibiotics only kill bacteria, so they would not help.

Your mark
2
Short answer [2 marks]

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

Mark scheme

  • viruses live / reproduce inside (body) cells (1)
  • (so drugs that kill them) would damage body cells / tissues (1)

Model answer

Viruses reproduce inside the body's own cells, so a drug that killed them would also damage the body's cells.

Your mark
3
Multiple choice [1 mark]

What does a painkiller do?

Choose one answer.

Correct Not quite: the answer is Relieves symptoms but does not kill the pathogen

Mark scheme

C

Model answer

C: it relieves symptoms but does not kill the pathogen.

4
Extended response [4 marks]

Explain how a population of bacteria becomes resistant to an antibiotic.

Mark scheme

  • a (random) mutation causes resistance in some bacteria (1)
  • the antibiotic kills non-resistant bacteria (1)
  • resistant bacteria survive (1)
  • and reproduce / pass on the resistance (gene), so the population becomes resistant (1)

Model answer

A random mutation makes a few bacteria resistant. When the antibiotic is used, the non-resistant bacteria are killed but the resistant ones survive. They reproduce and pass on the resistance, so soon most of the population is resistant.

Your mark
5
Short answer [2 marks]

Give two ways to slow down the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Mark scheme

Any two from:

  • do not prescribe antibiotics for viral / non-serious infections (1)
  • complete the course of antibiotics (1)
  • restrict use of antibiotics in farming (1)
  • good hygiene in hospitals / isolate patients with resistant infections (1)

Model answer

Do not use antibiotics for viral infections, and always finish the full course.

Your mark
6
Short answer [2 marks]

What is the difference between an antibiotic and an antiseptic?

Mark scheme

  • antibiotic: kills bacteria inside the body (1)
  • antiseptic: kills microorganisms outside the body / on skin / surfaces (1)

Model answer

An antibiotic kills bacteria inside the body, while an antiseptic kills microorganisms outside the body, such as on skin or surfaces.

Your mark
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