Structure and function of bacteria
What is a prokaryotic cell?
A cell that is all bacteria, which has no membrane-bound organelles or nucleus; instead of a nucleus, there’s an area called the nucleoid.
How does a population of bacteria become antibiotic-resistant?
Antibiotics kill non-resistant bacteria, allowing resistant mutants to survive, reproduce, and pass the resistance gene to their offspring.
What is natural selection in bacteria?
Natural selection in bacteria is when the fittest ones survive. An example would be if one becomes immune to antibiotics, then it will survive, while all the others are killed off by the treatment. The stronger ones survive, and the weaker ones die off.
Why are antibiotics ineffective against the common cold or flu? (These are examples of viruses)
Antibiotics can only cure bacterial infections, not viruses like the common cold or flu
What is a common everyday example of biotechnology used to treat diabetes?
This example is known as insulin production. Scientists use bacteria to produce fake human insulin, which is cheaper and more widely available than other, more expensive methods.
What do the ribosomes do in the prokaryotic cell?
In this small organelle, protein making/synthesis takes place.
What is the main method of reproduction in bacteria?
Binary fission, where one cell splits into two identical daughter cells.
How might the bacteria become immune to medicine that the bacterium has never seen before?
The bacteria could have a mutation in it that makes it immune. The mutation can change the bacteria so the antibiotic can’t treat them.
True or False: You should stop taking antibiotics as soon as you feel better.
False; it is important to continue and finish the prescribed medication to ensure the bacterial infection is completely killed off
What is: a technique that alters or corrects defective genes within a person's cells to treat or cure diseases like cystic fibrosis or certain cancers.
gene therapy
How can one resistant bacterium cause an outbreak?
Bacteria reproduce asexually, so you only need one to continue the population. Because the bacteria are resistant, the antibiotics cannot affect them, which makes it easier for the bacteria to spread and cause an outbreak.
What happens when there is a mutation in bacteria?
A random change in the DNA sequence.
How do bacteria adapt way faster than humans?
Prokaryotic cells can reproduce way faster than people can, which means that they go through thousands of generations in one day. That means that natural selection can already pick the strongest and fittest bacteria in less than a day, so they adapt really quickly.
How does the misuse of antibiotics specifically create resistant bacteria (This is an example of natural selection)?
When antibiotics are used, it kills off the weak bacteria, leaving the stronger bacteria to survive and adapt due to the antibiotics.
True or False: Biotechnology is only used in secret laboratories or labs.
False; biotechnology is used in our everyday lives, right in our kitchens. We use it to make bread, cheese, and chicken.
How come some bacterial infections aren’t active for a long time, and then cause a random outbreak?
Some prokaryotes can form internal structures that are dormant (inactive), which protect the DNA, and then the bacteria will show up when there are good conditions.
What is asexual and sexual reproduction?
Asexual reproduction is when an organism reproduces on its own, while sexual reproduction is when two organisms mate, forming a zygote that contains DNA from both parents.
How does overusing antibiotics affect how deadly diseases come back?
When we continue to use the same antibiotics to treat a sickness, the bacteria are working on selecting the fittest ones to survive, so actually, by overusing antibiotics, we’re helping the bacteria.
Why are babies and elderly people more at risk from resistant infections?
Because they have weaker immune systems, it is harder for their bodies to fight off infections that medications cannot heal.
What can we use biotechnology to make in our kitchens? (name just one)
food such as bread, cheese, and chicken
Why do certain bacterial outbreaks stay in the body, despite the person's immune response? (The immune response is the body’s natural response to bacteria, including white blood cells.)
Many pathogenic bacteria have a capsule (A layer of carbohydrates outside the cell wall). The capsule prevents the white blood cells from attacking the bacteria and eating away at them.
In binary fission, how many daughter cells are produced from one parent cell?
Two daughter cells are produced from one parent cell.
How does the shape of a structure affect whether the medicine works or not?
The shape of the structure matters because if it isn’t the proper shape, then the antibiotic can’t attach to the bacteria. That means that the bacteria won’t be treated, and will continue to grow since the antibiotic is ineffective.
What is one way to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance?
By following your doctor's orders and taking your prescription as described. Also, by not taking more or less than the prescribed amount, because if you do then that will make the bacteria adapt and become resistant.
True or false: Biotechnology can be used on both humans and animals
True; biotechnology is used to keep both humans and animals healthy with vaccines and medicine.