Explain how skin, stomach acid and normal flora reduce infection risk, and compare how hand washing changes skin microorganisms using marked questions.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a disease causing worldwide concerns.
Methicillin is one of the antibiotics to which this pathogen has developed resistance.
Castaneroxy A is a molecule extracted from the European chestnut tree, endemic to Southern Europe and Turkey.
The effects of Castaneroxy A have been investigated.
The investigations have found that Castaneroxy A:
- does not affect the natural skin flora
- prevents MRSA from producing toxins
- weakens the MRSA bacteria
- reduces the size of skin infections caused by MRSA.
Explain why it is important that Castaneroxy A does not affect skin flora.
An explanation that includes the following points:
- because skin flora \{prevent the growth of / destroy / kill\} \{other bacteria / pathogens\} (1)
- by competing for \{space / nutrients\} / producing toxins (1)
ACCEPT provide a barrier in protecting the body from infection
ACCEPT produce lactic acid DO NOT ACCEPT sebum
(2)