Fighting disease-drugs

• What do antibiotics do?


  Antibiotics kill bacteria.
• How do specific antibiotics function?


  Specific antibiotics kill specific types of bacteria.
• Why is it hard to develop drugs that destroy viruses?


  Because viruses live and reproduce inside cells.
• What is the role of painkillers in disease treatment?

  Painkillers treat the symptoms of disease but don't kill pathogens.
• What are the sources of different types of drugs?

  • Digitalis: Heart drug from foxgloves
  • Aspirin: Painkiller from willow
  • Penicillin: Antibiotic from Penicillium mould
• How are most drugs synthesized today?


  Most drugs are often synthesized in a lab.
• What might the synthesis process of drugs start with?


  The process might start with a chemical extracted from a plant.
• Who discovered penicillin?

  Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming.
• What is the primary purpose of drugs and medicine?


  To relieve symptoms and treat diseases
• How do pain relievers like aspirin and paracetamol function?


  They treat symptoms of disease but do not kill pathogens
• What is the function of antibiotics?


  To kill bacteria or prevent their growth
• Why are specific antibiotics important?


  Because they kill specific types of bacteria
• What is a limitation of antibiotics regarding viruses?


  Antibiotics do not destroy viruses
• Why is it difficult to develop drugs that destroy viruses?


  Because viruses reproduce using the body's cells
• What has been the impact of antibiotics on communicable diseases?


  They have reduced the number of deaths caused by bacteria
• What is a key factor in reducing antibiotic resistance?


  Patients must take the full prescribed course of antibiotics
• When should doctors prescribe antibiotics?


  Only for serious bacterial infections
• What substances do microorganisms produce that are relevant to drug development?


  • Substances that can kill pathogens
• What is aspirin derived from?


  Willow trees
• What is the primary use of digoxin?


  To treat heart problems
• What is penicillin and who discovered it?


  Penicillin is an antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming
• How was penicillin discovered?


  Fleming found mould in petri dishes that killed bacteria
• What was the effect of the mould found by Fleming on bacteria?


  The area around the mould was free from bacteria
• What type of mould produces penicillin?

  Penicillium mould
• What is the primary function of painkillers like aspirin?


  To relieve pain
• How do painkillers differ from antibiotics?


  Painkillers relieve symptoms without tackling the cause, while antibiotics kill bacteria.
• What do many cold remedies do?

  They reduce symptoms without curing colds.
• What is the function of antibiotics like penicillin?


  They kill or prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Do antibiotics work against viruses?


  No, antibiotics do not destroy viruses.
• Why is it difficult to develop drugs that destroy viruses?


  Because viruses reproduce using body cells, making it hard to target them without harming the cells.
• How have antibiotics impacted deaths from communicable diseases?


  They have greatly reduced the number of deaths caused by bacterial diseases.
• What can cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics?


  Mutations in bacteria can lead to antibiotic resistance.
• What happens to non-resistant bacteria when an infection is treated with antibiotics?


  Only the non-resistant strains will be killed, allowing resistant bacteria to survive and reproduce.
• What is an example of a serious infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

  MRSA (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) causes serious wound infections.
• Why is it important for doctors to avoid over-prescribing antibiotics?


  To slow down the development of resistant strains of bacteria.
• Why should patients finish the whole course of antibiotics?


  To ensure all bacteria are killed and prevent the development of resistance.
• What do plants produce to defend themselves against pests and pathogens?


  A variety of chemicals.
• How have traditional cures contributed to modern medicine?


  Many current medicines were discovered by studying plants used in traditional cures.
• What are two examples of drugs derived from plants and their uses?

  • Aspirin: Used as a painkiller and to lower fever (developed from willow).
  • Digitalis: Used to treat heart conditions (developed from foxgloves).
• Who discovered penicillin and how?


  Alexander Fleming discovered it by observing that mould killed bacteria in a Petri dish.