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Building up resistance

While most bacteria are harmless or helpful to humans, there are a number of bacteria that do cause disease. Lyme disease, anthrax, tuberculosis, and salmonellosis are examples of diseases caused by bacteria. Many bacterial diseases are deadly without treatment and can cause widespread infections.

AntibioticsA substance derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms; widely used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. are substances that harm or kill bacteria. Erythromycin and penicillin are examples of commonly used antibiotics. Discovered in the 1920s, these substances are produced naturally by a variety of organisms, such as bacteria themselves and fungi. (See Fungi chapter.) The production and use of antibiotics has dramatically reduced the number...

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1. Introduction
2. Wretched beasties
3. What they look like
4. Living and eating
5. Building up resistance
6. Experiment 1 - Bacterial Growth: How do certain substances inhibit or promote bacterial growth?
7. Experiment 2 - Bacterial Resistance: Can bacteria gain resistance to a substance after exposure?
8. Design Your Own Experiment