5 Summary

In this module you looked at the main modes of antibiotic action and learned why these drugs work selectively against bacteria without causing the same level of harm to the host. You have also learned that bacteria can be intrinsically resistant to antibiotics or acquire antibiotic resistance that can rapidly spread, or evolve, in a population. You should now be able to explain how genetic mutations cause acquired antibiotic resistance and how these mutations can be inherited through binary fission.

You have also seen how horizontal gene transfer has an important role in transmitting antibiotic resistance to different bacterial types. Having seen how antibiotic resistance evolves to protect bacteria, you can now begin to speculate on how our use of antibiotics contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance.

You should now be able to:

• explain how antibiotics work against bacterial pathogens
• state what is meant by the term ‘antibiotic resistance’
• explain that antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon that protects bacteria from hostile environments
• explain how resistance mechanisms arise, and how resistance can be passed on during bacterial replication
• describe the horizontal gene transfer mechanisms that allow antibiotic resistance to be transferred between bacteria
• apply scientific terminology when explaining how antibiotic resistance relates to your current work.

Now that you have completed this module, consider the following questions:

• What is the single most important lesson that you have taken away from this module?
• How relevant is it to your work?
• Can you suggest ways in which this new knowledge can benefit your practice?

When you have reflected on these, go to your reflective blog [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]   and note down your thoughts.