Transcript Evolution of Bacteria

Evolution of
Bacteria
Joshua Jackson
2nd Period
Biology Honors
M.R.S.A.
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
or M.R.S.A. is a form of staph infection that
has become immune to most common
antibiotics.
This infection has proven to be fatal.
Natural Selection’s Influence
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Natural selection is the process that which
heritable traits become more common in a
population of the same species.
This evolution of those common traits
occurs over time.
Due to natural selection over time antibiotic
resistance rises within microorganisms.
What Is Antibiotic Resistance?
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Antibiotic resistance is the ability a
microorganism has to resist an antibiotic.
This means that the antibiotic normally
used to treat the sickness caused by the
micro organism is no longer working at all.
Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
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Antibiotic resistance is a form of evolution
by natural selection.
The bacteria have over time adapted to the
environment they were in like the human
body already able to resist the antibiotic.
This trait was then passed down to other
humans.
How Has Antibiotic Resistance
Developed
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When a person falls ill they are expected to
take the complete dosage of the antibiotic
they are given. Many people stop because
they feel better.
This gives the remaining bacteria
knowledge of what’s attacking it and how to
prevent it.
Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
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Other evolutions have been caused by
unnecessary use of antibiotics.
The bacteria in the body will adapt to the
antibiotic and once it is needed it will no
longer work.
Reducing Antibiotic Resistance
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Keeping clean (i.e. washing hands) will
reduce the chances of getting sick and
needing antibiotics at all.
Making sure a person has all their shots up
to date will reduce the need for antibiotics
as well.
People should take full dosages of their
medications not just until they feel better.
Reducing Antibiotic Resistance
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Do not ask for antibiotics when they aren’t
needed. Common colds do not need
antibiotics.
People should also abstain from sharing
antibiotics with other people and return
unused antibiotics back to their
pharmacists.
Reducing Antibiotic Resistance
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There are now some agencies that are
trying to find ways to prevent antibiotic
resistance like:
Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM)
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)