CAIE A Level Biology 9700 · Infectious diseases
The table below shows the percentage of bacterial isolates resistant to penicillin in a hospital over time.
| Year | Percentage of resistant isolates |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 5 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2010 | 35 |
| 2020 | 60 |
Using the data and your knowledge, outline how penicillin acts on bacteria, explain why antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, and discuss the consequences of antibiotic resistance and the steps that can be taken to reduce its impact.
5 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 5 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Outline means: Give the main points briefly. Less detail than describe, but every key step has to be there. One short line per step, in order. The marks are for coverage, not depth.
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