BIOLOGY FORUM WEEK 5
For this weeks forum we will look at a case study on resistance to antibiotics. The case study examines
resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics. For this weeks forum you will have the opportunity
to collect and analyze data and discuss your results.
Read through the attached case study and answer any 4 questions using your textbook and the internet
as resources. Make sure to let us know what question # you are answering. Use your answers to the
questions in the pdf to help you answer the questions asked below. Write your post in a narrative
format based on your answers to the questions.
PAGE 6
1. What do you think the experimental question is?
The experimental question should be “Which antibiotic is most effective against Staphylococcus
aureus”
PAGE 9
2. What are the differences in how E-lactam antibiotics and vancomycin
work?
Bacteria has a cell wall which protects it from the “normal” environment of the body. The
molecules which reinforce the cell walls are called peptidoglycans. Vancomycin blocks the
forming of peptidoglycans, making the bacteria walls weak and ultimately dead (Gardete &
Tomasz, 2014). Beta Lactams penetrate the walls to affect the bacteria inside, but also blocks the
bacteria from growing ultimately ending in cell lysis. In this blocking process, transpeptidation is
blocked as well (The Genetic Learning Science Center, n.d.) .
3. What other mechanisms might arise to allow resistance to the E-lactam
antibiotics?
Antibiotics of Beta lactam contain a beta lactam ring in the structure (The Genetic
Learning Science Center, n.d.). The beta lactamase breaks bonds of the beta lactam ring, which
can not only prevent the antibiotic from working, but in fact, make it worse. This isn’t the only
thing, however. Anybody can become resistant to the antibiotics depending on the chemicals
present in their bodies but using antibiotics for a long period of time can naturally create a
resistance through bacterial cell mutation.
4. Could resistance arise to vancomycin? Why or why not
The presence of lactic acid bacteria called Entercoccus which is present in the human
intestines can causes resistance to vancomycin. However, a resistance of vancomycin can also
develop in the presence of the mecA gene which can be transferred through bacteria via plasmid
vector. This happens and prevents vancomycin from binding on the peptidoglycan of the bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus (Gardete & Tomasz, 2014).
For this weeks forum we will look at a case study on resistance to antibiotics. The case study examines
resistance to the most commonly used antibiotics. For this weeks forum you will have the opportunity
to collect and analyze data and discuss your results.
Read through the attached case study and answer any 4 questions using your textbook and the internet
as resources. Make sure to let us know what question # you are answering. Use your answers to the
questions in the pdf to help you answer the questions asked below. Write your post in a narrative
format based on your answers to the questions.
PAGE 6
1. What do you think the experimental question is?
The experimental question should be “Which antibiotic is most effective against Staphylococcus
aureus”
PAGE 9
2. What are the differences in how E-lactam antibiotics and vancomycin
work?
Bacteria has a cell wall which protects it from the “normal” environment of the body. The
molecules which reinforce the cell walls are called peptidoglycans. Vancomycin blocks the
forming of peptidoglycans, making the bacteria walls weak and ultimately dead (Gardete &
Tomasz, 2014). Beta Lactams penetrate the walls to affect the bacteria inside, but also blocks the
bacteria from growing ultimately ending in cell lysis. In this blocking process, transpeptidation is
blocked as well (The Genetic Learning Science Center, n.d.) .
3. What other mechanisms might arise to allow resistance to the E-lactam
antibiotics?
Antibiotics of Beta lactam contain a beta lactam ring in the structure (The Genetic
Learning Science Center, n.d.). The beta lactamase breaks bonds of the beta lactam ring, which
can not only prevent the antibiotic from working, but in fact, make it worse. This isn’t the only
thing, however. Anybody can become resistant to the antibiotics depending on the chemicals
present in their bodies but using antibiotics for a long period of time can naturally create a
resistance through bacterial cell mutation.
4. Could resistance arise to vancomycin? Why or why not
The presence of lactic acid bacteria called Entercoccus which is present in the human
intestines can causes resistance to vancomycin. However, a resistance of vancomycin can also
develop in the presence of the mecA gene which can be transferred through bacteria via plasmid
vector. This happens and prevents vancomycin from binding on the peptidoglycan of the bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus (Gardete & Tomasz, 2014).
