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Infection & ResponseKey Facts

Superbugs: The Resistance Champions

Part of Antibiotics and Drug Resistance — GCSE Biology

This key facts covers Superbugs: The Resistance Champions within Antibiotics and Drug Resistance for GCSE Biology. Antibiotic function, bacterial resistance evolution, responsible use, global health impact It is section 6 of 18 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 6 of 18

Practice

20 questions

Recall

24 flashcards

Superbugs: The Resistance Champions

Examples of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria:

  • MRSA: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - resistant to methicillin and many other antibiotics
  • VRE: Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci - resistant to vancomycin, often used as last resort
  • MDR-TB: Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis - resistant to multiple anti-TB drugs
  • XDR-TB: Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis - resistant to most available treatments
  • CRE: Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae - resistant to carbapenem antibiotics

Why Superbugs Are Dangerous:

  • Limited treatment options available
  • Higher mortality rates from infections
  • Longer hospital stays and recovery times
  • More expensive treatments required
  • Risk of spreading resistance to other bacteria

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Antibiotics and Drug Resistance. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

How Antibiotic Resistance DevelopsPreventing Antibiotic ResistanceFrom Miracle Cure to Modern CrisisKey Facts About Antibiotics

Practice Questions for Antibiotics and Drug Resistance

What do antibiotics kill or stop growing?

  • A. Viruses
  • B. Bacteria
  • C. Fungi
  • D. All pathogens
1 markfoundation

Explain how antibiotic resistance develops in bacteria through natural selection. (3 marks)

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What are antibiotics and what do they target?
Antibiotics are chemicals that kill bacteria or stop them from growing. They target structures that bacteria have but human cells do not, such as cell walls. Examples: penicillin, amoxicillin, streptomycin.
Why do antibiotics NOT work against viruses?
Antibiotics target bacterial cell walls and bacterial processes. Viruses do not have cell walls and use the host cell's own machinery to reproduce. There is nothing for the antibiotic to target in a virus.

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How Antibiotic Resistance Develops

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Preventing Antibiotic Resistance