CAIE A Level Biology 9700 · Infectious diseases
A patient in hospital is diagnosed with a bacterial infection caused by a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to penicillin. The patient asks the doctor why antibiotics do not work against viruses.
Discuss the mode of action of penicillin, why antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, the consequences of antibiotic resistance, and steps that hospitals and patients can take to reduce the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.
7 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 7 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Discuss means: Set out the points on more than one side and weigh them up. Cover both sides, then finish with a judgement that follows from what you wrote.
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