Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections Exam Questions
Free Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) exam questions on Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections, with mark schemes. Covers bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and controlling hospital-acquired infections.
Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections exam questions
These packs of real past exam questions cover the whole of Topic 6: Immunity, Infection and Forensics, including Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections. Work through every question on this sub-topic, then mark your answers against the mark scheme.
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Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards (Anki & Quizlet)
Every answer is written in mark scheme wording, so you learn exactly what examiners give marks for. Use them on Anki or Quizlet, then test yourself with the questions on this page.
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About Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections
This part of Topic 6 covers how antibiotics work and why resistance spreads. Expect practicals on antimicrobial effects.
What you need to know
- Antibiotics Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria; bacteriostatic antibiotics stop growth.
- Resistance Mutations give resistance, and natural selection increases resistant strains when antibiotics are overused.
- Hospital infections MRSA and C. difficile, controlled by hygiene, isolation and careful antibiotic use.
- Evolutionary race Pathogens and hosts evolve in response to each other.
Common mistakes in Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections
- Saying bacteria become resistant because they get used to antibiotics.
- Confusing bactericidal and bacteriostatic.
- Forgetting hygiene measures in hospitals.
Try three Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections exam-style questions
1. Explain how antibiotic resistance develops. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
A random mutation gives some bacteria resistance (1); antibiotics kill non-resistant bacteria (1); resistant ones survive and reproduce, increasing the resistant population (1).
2. Give two ways hospitals reduce hospital-acquired infections. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Any two: hand washing, isolating infected patients, cleaning equipment, restricting antibiotic use (1 each).
3. Distinguish between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria (1); bacteriostatic antibiotics prevent bacteria from growing and reproducing (1).
Topic 6: Antibiotics and Hospital Infections FAQs
What does this part of SNAB Topic 6 cover?
How antibiotics work, antibiotic resistance and hospital-acquired infections.
Is there a core practical?
Yes, investigating the effect of antibiotics on bacterial growth.
Why is overuse a problem?
It increases selection pressure for resistant bacteria.
Revise this topic with flashcards: Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards, with mark scheme answers for Anki and Quizlet.
