CAIE IGCSE Biology 15.1.5 Limiting Antibiotic Resistance
Practise explaining how essential, appropriate antibiotic use reduces selection for resistant bacteria such as MRSA.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Biology 0610
Exam points
- use antibiotics only for essential bacterial infections and choose an appropriate antibiotic
- complete the prescribed dose or course and avoid routine use in healthy livestock
- link reduced exposure to weaker selection for resistant bacteria and slower spread of resistance
15.1.5—Using antibiotics only when essential question 1
A scientist tested the resistance of one strain of bacteria to different antibiotics.
The scientist tested solutions of five different antibiotics, A to E.
She soaked a paper disc in each antibiotic solution.
The paper discs with antibiotics were placed in a Petri dish containing bacteria on agar jelly.
Fig. 4.2 is a diagram of the appearance of the Petri dish after 48 hours. The shaded areas show where bacteria grew. The clear areas show where bacteria did not grow.
Fig. 4.2
Describe how to minimise the risk of antibiotic B developing the same results as antibiotic A.
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