Infectious diseases

Bacterial diseases: cholera

(CIE topic: Cholera) OCR, June 2000
Question:
1. Explain why, on average, the death rate from cholera is higher in developing
countries than developed countries.
[7]
Answer:
cholera spread by faecal contamination;in water;untreated sewage;no purification of
water used for, drinking/washing;cannot afford the treatment plants;cannot afford
vaccination programmes;cannot afford, treatment of disease/oral rehydration
therapy;malnutrition reduces resistance;more flies to spread disease;unhygienic
handling of food;low levels of education re, hygiene/etc.;many symptomless carriers;
2.

Question:
Describe the response that would be mounted by the B cells (B lymphocytes)
of the body on their first exposure to cholera bacteria.
[7]

Answer:
cholera, bacterium/vibrio, has antigens on its surface;Immune response triggered;B
cells responsible for humoral immunity;B cells with receptor which matches antigen
are activated;clone themselves/divide by mitosis;become, plasma cells/effector
cells/memory cells;(plasma/effector, cells) produce antibody molecules;in blood, tissue
fluid and lymph;live only a few days;memory cells long-lived and enable rapid,
response to subsequent infection/2 response;
3.

Question:
Explain, with examples, the advantages of using monoclonal antibodies.
[6]

Answer:
MCAs are, pure antibodies/specific to one antigen;allergic response minimised;suitable
examples of diagnosis;diagnosis of Chlamydia; results in 1520 minutes;diagnosis of
gonorrhoea; results in 15 20 minutes;immediate/rapid, diagnosis of
streptecoccalthroat infections; allows immediate treatment;distinguish between herpes
viruses;important to distinguish because treatments different;early detection and
treatment of cancers;example; (e.g leukaemia/lymphoma)pregnancy testing;detects
hCG in mother's urine;blood typing;use as 'magic bullets'/seek out and attach to
specific targets;example; (e.g. cancer cells/bacteria/viruses)attach, toxic
drug/radioactive isotope, to destroy target;

Bacterial diseases: cholera

(CIE topic: Cholera) OCR, specimen paper

The bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, is the causative agent of cholera. The El Tor strain of
V. cholerae originally occurred only in Indonesia. In 1961, this strain began to spread
replacing existing strains in other parts of Asia. El Tor is now widespread throughout
Asia, the Middle East, Africa and parts of Eastern Europe, but has never established
itself in Western Europe.
El Tor is hardier than the strain it replaced and the bacteria may continue to appear in
the faeces for up to three months after patients have recovered. The bacteria may persist
in water for up to fourteen days.
Question:
1. State two ways in which V. cholerae is transmitted from infected to uninfected
people.
[2]
Answer:
faeces from infected person;via drinking water;via food;direct to mouth of uninfected
person;carrier not washing hands after using toilet, food preparation etc;carried by flies
to food;via seafood;via water used to irrigate vegetables.
Some people infected with cholera have mild symptoms, or none at all, and are carriers
of the disease.
Question:
2. Suggest how laboratory tests could identify carriers of cholera.
[2]
Answer:
test for antibodies (against V.cholerae);isolate/grow bacteria from
faeces/rectum/intestinal tissue;some method of identification;microscopy;use of
monoclonals ( if injected);fluorescent dye.
3.

Question:
Suggest four reasons why E1 Tor has not become established in Western
Europe.
[4]

Answer:
sewage treatment;water supply not contaminated/clean water supply;transmission cycle
broken/not established;drinking water, chlorinated/purified;good sanitation,
explained/described;good food hygiene;vaccination, antibiotics
4.

Question:
The United Nations, recognising that most of the outbreaks of cholera were
the result of polluted water supplies, set up a 'Decade of Water' in 1981. Its
aim was to provide safe water for everyone. Over the decade 1981/1990, the
number of people lacking a safe water supply in developing countries dropped
from 1800 million to 1200 million.
Explain why cholera continues to be a worldwide problem, in spite of the
'Decade of Water' campaign.
(In this question, 1-mark is available for the quality of written
communication.)
[8]

Answer:
programme not effective;still 1200 million who can transmit cholera;do not have access
to clean water;rural areas not reached;growth of population;growth of shanty
towns;poor sanitation;natural disasters;new facilities not maintained;wars/civil
unrest;no effective vaccine;overcrowding; [7 marks max]
Q legible text with accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar; [1 mark]
5. The antibiotic tetracycline is sometimes used as a treatment for cholera.
Question:

Bacterial diseases: cholera

(CIE: Cholera)
question 1
Correct Answer

The incubation period for cholera is:

15 days

question 2
Correct Answer

Which of the four drawings represents the bacterium responsible for cholera?
D

question 3
Correct Answer

The enterotoxin secreted by the cholera bacterium is an example of an

exotoxin. What is an exotoxin?
a soluble compound secreted by the bacterium into its immediate surroundings

question 4
Correct Answer

What is the effect of the enterotoxin on the cells of the intestine?

it causes the cells to pump out electrolytes and fluids

question 5
Correct Answer

Cholera can be treated by giving the patient a solution of:

glucose and salts

question 6
Correct Answer

In severe cases, cholera may be treated with antibiotics. Which is the preferred
antibiotic?
tetracycline

question 7
Correct Answer

Which of the following phrases best describes the term 'endemic'?

regularly found in a particular region

question 8

Measures taken to prevent the incidence of cholera include: boiling of

drinking water chlorinating drinking water safe disposal of sewage safe
disposal of needles
A, B and C

Correct Answer

Protoctistan diseases: malaria

(CIE: Malaria)
question 1
Correct Answer

What is the genus of the protoctistan that causes malaria?

Plasmodium

question 2
Correct Answer

What is the genus of the mosquito that carries the malarial parasite?
Anopheles

question 3
Correct Answer

Which of the following diseases is not transmitted by the mosquito?

schistosomiasis (bilharzia)

question 4
Correct Answer

What is the role of anticoagulant in the mosquito's saliva?

to prevent blood clotting in its mouthparts

question 5
Correct Answer

Which insecticide has been used extensively in the control of the malarial
mosquito?
DDT

question 6
Correct Answer

What is the name of the parasite that causes sleeping sickness?

Trypanosoma

question 7

Which insect is the vector for the parasite that causes sleeping sickness?

Correct Answer

tsetse fly

question 8
Correct Answer

The high fevers associated with malaria coincide with the:

release of merozoites from red blood cells

question 9
Correct Answer

What is the name of the drug, taken from cinchona tree, that was one of the
first drugs used to treat malaria?
quinine

question 10
Correct Answer

Approximately how many people die from malaria each year?

2 000 000

Bacterial diseases: tuberculosis

(CIE topic: Tuberculosis) Edexcel, June 1999
1. Question:
1. Name the organism that causes tuberculosis.
(1 mark)
Answer:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis / bovis (1)

2.

Question:
State one way in which this organism is transmitted from person to
person.
(1 mark)

Answer:
inhalation/eq /OR ref. to on dust / droplets / OR ref. to droplet infection / via saliva (1)
2.

The table below shows (to the nearest 1000) the number of deaths per year
from tuberculosis in England and Wales at 10 year intervals from 1905 to
1995.

Year
1905
1915
1925
1935
1945
1955
1965
1975
1985
1995

Number of deaths per year

66 000
54 000
43 000
32 000
26 000
9 000
4 000
3 000
1 000
3 000
1.

Question:
1. Calculate the mean reduction per year in annual death rate from 1905 to 1945. Show your
working.
(2 marks)

Answer:
66 000 - 26 000/40 (1)= 1000 (NO credit for consequential error)(1)

2.

Question:
Antibiotics and immunisation against tuberculosis were introduced during the 1940s.
What evidence is there in the data that this affected the annual death rate from
tuberculosis?
(2 marks)

Answer:
ref. to greater / steeper / dramatic / sharp/eq decrease between 1945 and 1955 / in late
40s / after 1945 (1)
ref. to death rate more than halved / reduced by (approx.) 2/3 in ten
years / appropriate manipulation of figures for period to illustrate
steep drop [NOTjust a subtraction] (1)
2.

Question:
Suggest two reasons why the annual death rate from tuberculosis was falling before antibiotics and
effective immunisation were introduced.
(2 marks)

Answer:
improved living conditions / lifestyle qualified e.g. less overcrowding / better dampproofing / better diet/eq (1)
increased pasteurisation of milk (1)
prevention of transmission / ref. to isolation of patients (1)
better (personal) hygiene / better sanitation (1)
3.

The data for 1995 suggest a rise in the annual death rate from tuberculosis. This may be linked to
the increased incidence of HIV infection.
Question:
1. Suggest why HIV infection might increase the risk of developing tuberculosis.
(2 marks)

Answer:
HIV affects / attacks the immune system/eq (1)
reduces number of /OR attacks T-cells / T-lymphocytes (1)
2.

Question:
Suggest one reason, other than HIV infection, which might lead to an increase in deaths
from tuberculosis.
(1 mark)

Answer:
people not getting vaccinated / immunised/OR increased alcohol /drug abuse/OR
increased homelessness / poverty/OR ref. to antibiotic-resistant strains (1)
(Total 11 marks)
Bacterial diseases: tuberculosis
(CIE topic: Tuberculosis) OCR, January 2001

1.

Question:
1. Name the organism that causes tuberculosis (TB).
[1]

Answer:
Mycobacterium / mycobacteria; (A) micobacteria
NOT micro / mycro / myo etc.
2.

Question:
Describe how tuberculosis is spread from infected to uninfected people.
[3]

Answer:
(infected people) breathe out / sneeze / cough / spit;
airborne / droplets / mucus / saliva;
(uninfected people) breathe in / enters nose or mouth;
(transmitted in) sputum / phlegm;
The figure shows the number of cases of tuberculosis recorded by health authorities in
England and Wales between 1913 and 1998.

1.
2.

Question:
With reference to the figure, describe the changes in the number of recorded cases of tuberculosis
between 1913 and 1998 in England and Wales.
[4]

Answer:
decrease over, whole time period / stated time period;
increase over stated time period;
only slight decrease since approx 1970 / fairly constant at end of century/ slight rise at end of
century;
rates of decrease vary / AW;
ref to numbers of cases to snow a cnange;;
Question:

3.

Explain how social and economic factors have been important in reducing the number of cases of
tuberculosis in developed countries such as Enaland and Wales.
[4]

Answer:
improved housing;
better ventilation in, housing / workplaces;
less overcrowding / ref to fewer people sleeping in same room;
less homelessness;
improved standard of living / less poverty;
education, qualified;
better diet;
better, medical services / hospitals; (e.g. supply of vaccines / antibodies / drugs)
NOT vaccination / drugs unqualified or in medical context alone
[Total: 12]

Bacterial diseases: tuberculosis

(CIE topic: Tuberculosis) CIE, November 2001
It is estimated that more people died of the bacterial disease tuberculosis (TB) in 1999
than in any other year in history. Scientists are fighting the battle against the disease on
several fronts. For example, the complete DNA sequence of 4 million base pairs of the
causative agent has recently been determined. Epidemiological research is also
important. In the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa, for example, the disease is, as
expected, most common in the poorer suburbs. But there is also a marked correlation
between the incidence of TB and infections by intestinal parasites. This may be because
such parasites stimulate T-lymphocytes to activate B-lymphocytes and suppress the
activity of macrophages.
Question:
1. Name the most common causative agent of TB.
[1]
Answer:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis;

2.

Question:
Explain what is meant by epidemiological research.
[2]

Answer:
epidemiology is the study of pattern of disease;factors that affect the spread of
disease;how diseases affect whole populations (not just individuals);search for common
factors amongst people who develop a disease;
3.

Question:
State two reasons why TB was expected to be most common in the poorer
suburbs of Cape Town.
[2]

Answer:
associated with overcrowding;because spread by droplet
infection/coughing/sneezing;associated with poor housing;low immunity due to poor
diet;link with HIV which is more common in poor areas;A.V.P.;
Question:

4.

Suggest one reason why knowledge of the DNA base sequence of the
causative organism could help in the fight against the disease.
[1]

Answer:
identify parts of the organism that can be targeted with new drugs/vaccines;help to
develop vaccines by genetic engineering;help to select genes to code for proteins that
may be useful as vaccines;easier identification of different strains of the disease;follow
evolution/development of new strains;
5.

Question:
Summarise the main reasons why TB is still such a widespread disease.
[4]

Answer:
some strains of TB are resistant to drugs/antibiotics;AIDS damages immune system and
TB common secondary infection;large reservoir of disease/many people are
carriers/have dormant TB bacteria;rising homelessness/poverty in inner cities of
developed world;drug treatment programmes often not completed increasing risk of
drug resistance;vaccine not very effective/reliable;can spread from animals/cattle;
6.

Question:
Describe briefly the differences in the way the B- and T-lymphocytes act
during the immune response.
[3]

Answer:
T cells attack virus-infected cells;and transplanted organs (tissues)/cancer causing
cells;whose cell involved in attack/cell mediated immunity;B cells release
antibody/humoral immunity;attack bacteria (and some viruses);
7.

Question:
Explain why suppression of macrophages lowers resistance to TB.
[2]

Answer:
macrophages engulf and destroy bacteria;(circulate in blood and) pass into organs such
as lungs;where TB bacteria tend to accumulate/infect;TB bacteria found inside cells
where difficult for antibodies to attack them;
[Total : 15]

Bacterial diseases: tuberculosis

(CIE: Tuberculosis)
question 1
Correct Answer
Answer
question 2
Correct Answer
question 3

The introduction of which antibiotic during the 1940s was responsible for a
decrease in the incidence of TB?
streptomycin
What type of vaccine is given to teenage children to prevent TB?
a vaccine of weakened bacteria

Correct Answer

Before children receive the TB vaccination, they are given a skin test to check
if they already have antibodies to TB. The skin test injects a preparation of:
antigens

question 4

What feature of the cell wall of the bacterium allows tuberculosis to survive

Correct Answer
question 5

for long periods of time in the air?

the presence of lipids

Correct Answer

The tuberculosis bacteria are engulfed by what type of cell when they enter
the lungs?
macrophage

question 6
Correct Answer

Which of the following statements is not a description of a tubercle?

a small tube in an organ

question 7
Correct Answer

Secondary infections result when the dormant TB bacteria are activated.

Which of the following is not a symptom of a secondary TB infection?
vomiting

question 8
Correct Answer

Approximately how many people die from TB each year?

2 000 000

question 9

A person with infectious TB is treated with anti-TB drugs such as isoniazid

and rifampicin. For how long does the treatment last?
68 months

Correct Answer
question 10
Correct Answer

In Africa, the incidence of TB over the last 10 years has increased

dramatically. Which of the following is the single most important factor in this
increase?
an increase in the number of people infected with HIV

Viral diseases: AIDS

(CIE topic: AIDS) Edexcel, June 2001
The graph shows the number of new cases of HIV infection and AIDS in England in
each year between 1992 and 1998.

1.

The graph shows that the number of new AIDS cases reported each year has decreased between
1996 and 1998.
Question:
1. Calculate the percentage decrease in the number of AIDS cases reported between 1996
and 1998. Show your working.
(2)

Answer:
(1700 - 900) 100 1700;
47%;

Allow 1650 to 1750 for 96 and 800 to 900 for 98

If methods correct and figures within given ranges accept answer
between 45.45 % and 54.28 %
If figures within the ranges stated 1 mark, Correct method of
calculation and answer 1 mark
OR correct answer with no working shown 1 mark
If reading outside ranges, then only allow mark for correct method.
2.

Question:
Suggest one reason for this change.
(2)

Answer:
Better drugs / medicines / medication AZT / new drugs, available;
To delay onset of AIDS / eq (in HIV positive people) / eq;
2.

Question:
Explain why the number of people known to be infected with HIV is always likely to be greater
than the number of AIDS cases reported.
(3)

Answer:
Ref. to virus, latent period / latency / eq;
Infected (T4) cells need to be, activated / triggered / eq, before replication of
the virus takes place;
To cause further destruction of (T4) cells;
AIDS only develops after, depression of immune system / activation by
secondary /eq infection /or reference to natural immunity to AIDS;
(therefore people) can carry HIV without any, illness / symptoms or may die
before AIDS develops / eq;
3.

Question:
Suggest why the number of people actually infected with HIV may be much larger than the data
suggest.
(3)

Answer:
No symptoms /eq, with HIV infection ;
(therefore) not detected unless a blood / tissue / saliva / DNA test taken ;
4.

Question:
Explain why HIV can be described as a retrovirus.
(2)

Answer:
Carries (enzyme) reverse transcriptase;
Synthesises DNA using (viral) RNA;
DNA, codes for synthesis of viral proteins / inserted into host genome /
inserted into host's chromosomes / host DNA;
(Total 11 marks)

Viral diseases: AIDS

(CIE topic: AIDS) Edexcel, June 2000
The diagram shows the structure of a human immunodeficiency virus.

1.

Name the parts labeled A and B.

Question:
1. A

Answer:
A - glycoprotein / gp 41 / gp 120;
2.

Question:
B

Answer:
B - reverse transcriptase;
(2)
2.

Question:
Describe how the phospholipid bilayer contributes to the infection of the host cell.
(2)

Answer:
Fuses /eq with cell / host (surface) membrane / binding sites in cell membrane / gp 120
binds to CD 4;
(Because) both made of phospholipids / host cell membrane has similar
structure;
Allow entry of protein coat and contents / RNA /eq allows entry to viral
particle;
3.

Question:
Once the virus has infected the cell there is a latent period. Describe the role of the RNA in this
latent period.
(2)

Answer:
RNA copied / converted /eq to DNA (by reverse transcriptase);
(DNA) incorporated into host genome /eq chromosome / host DNA ;
Synthesis of viral RNA /eqtriggered later /eq ;
(Total 6 marks)

Viral diseases: AIDS

(CIE topic: AIDS) Edexcel, January 1999

1.

2.

Read through the following passage on the human immunodeficience virus

and then write on the dotted lines the most appropriate word or words to
complete the passage.
Question:
The human immunodeficience virus is a retrovirus. It contains the nucleic acid
.............

Answer:
RNA
Question:
3. And the enzyme .......
Answer:
reverse transcriptase;
Question:
4. When this virus enters a .............
Answer:
T (4 / helper );
5.

Question:
lymphocyte, a copy of the viral genome is synthesized and incorporated into
a............. in the host cell nucleus.

Answer:
chromosome;
6.

Question:
In this state, the virus may remain dormant for a long time. The virus may
become active when the body responds to a particular infection. This could
result in a large number of new viruses being made which, when released,
attack other cells of the ..system of the body.

Answer:
immune;
(Total 5 marks)

Viral diseases: AIDS

(CIE topic: AIDS) CIE, June 2000
The figure shows the number of cases of AIDS between the years 1981 to 1991 for two
groups of people in Europe; those who are homosexual or bisexual and those who are
injecting drug users.

1.

State one similarity and one difference between the data for the two groups of people between
1981 and 1990.

[2]
Question:
Similarity
Answer:
similarity rise in number of cases of AIDS;
S-shaped curve;
both peak in 1990;
Question:
Difference
Answer:
difference earlier rise for homosexuals/bisexuals;
earlier levelling off in number of new cases for homo/bisexuals;
fewer cases in drug users;

2.

Question:
Suggest one reason for the difference you have identified in (a)(I).
[1]

Answer:
(earlier rise for homosexuals/bisexuals) because gay community first infected;
(earlier levelling off in new cases for homo/bisexuals) because more aware of
need for/more able to take preventative measures;
(A converse trends for injecting drug users)
(fewer cases in drug users) because A.V.P.;
3.

Question:
Explain briefly, the decline in the number of cases of AIDS among injecting drug users between
1990 and 1991.

Answer:
use of clean needles/syringes/reduced sharing of contaminated, needles/syringes;
provided free (by local authorities/Government);
availability of more effective drug treatments;
education/advertising campaigns;
( R 'safe sex'

[3]
The figure is a diagram of the structure of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS.

1.

Predict one component of the virus which would be likely to be of importance in producing a
vaccine against the virus. Give a reason for your answer.
Question:
1. component

Answer:
component surface glycoprotein;
2.

Question:
reason

Answer:
reason glycoproteins often, antigenic/epitopic;
stimulate response from immune system;
proteins exposed on surface of, virus/infected cell, easy to attack for
antibodies;
[2]
2.

Question:
The drug zidovudine (AZT) is an inhibitor of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Explain why AZT
slows down the progress of HIV infection.
[2]

Answer:
prevents conversion of RNA of virus into DNA in host;
DNA enters host cell nucleus and integrates with host DNA;
this necessary before virus can replicate;
3.

Question:
Explain why antibiotics are ineffective against HIV and other viruses.
[2]

Answer:
antibiotics interface with metabolic processes;
e.g. metabolic process; (e.g. cell wall synthesis/protein synthesis/cell
membrane function/enzyme action) viruses do not have metabolism/revelant
metabolic process;

4.

Question:
Explain the link between the infection of T-lymphocytes by HIV and the onset of the symptoms of
AIDS.
[3]

Answer:
HIV destroys T helper cells/lymphocytes;
T helper cells needed for correct functioning of immune system/T & B cells;
T cells eliminate viral infection/B cells make antibodies;
opportunistic infections therefore occur/no resistance to common pathogens;
cancers not recognised and eliminated;
example; (e.g. TB, fungal pathogens such as candidiasis/oral thrush,
secondary cancers, Kaposi's sarcoma, skin cancer, herpes, Pneumocytis/rare
form of, pneumonia, food poisoning, toxoplasmosis, brain lesions,
cryptosporidiosis, diarrhoea.)
[Total : 15]

Viral diseases: AIDS

(CIE topic: AIDS) OCR, January 2002
The following passage is adapted from the World Health Organisation's World Health
Report 1999.
HIV/AIDS control in South-East Asia: the challenge of expanding successful
programmes.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was slower to emerge in South-East Asia
than in other parts of the world, but is now a serious public health problem and a threat
to development. The first patient from South-East Asia with AIDS was identified in
1984. Since then a total of 92 391 cases of the disease have been reported in this region
up to 1st July 1997. However, because of under-reporting and under-diagnosis the
reported cases only reflect a proportion of the true problem. The World Health
Organisation estimates that there are currently more than 5.5 million people in SouthEast Asia who are infected with HIV 18% of the global total.
Question:
1. State three ways in which HIV is transmitted.
[3]
Answer:
Sexual intercourse / in semen / vaginal fluid / AW; A 'sexual contact'
reusing / sharing, (hypodermic) needles;
from mother to fetus / across placenta / during birth;
breast milk;
(infected) blood transfusions / blood products;
2.

Question:
Explain the problems that are encountered by governments, in places such as
South-East Asia, in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS.
(In this question, one mark is available for the quality of written
communication.)
[7]

Answer:
problems with transmission / prevention / treatment
providing enough condoms;

encouraging people to use them;

discouraging sexual promiscuity / prostitution;
discouraging needle sharing;
difficult to promote needle exchange schemes;
cultural resistance to, education / campaigns, about 'safer sex';
checking blood donations / blood donors;
lack of money, to buy drugs / for treatment (to control AIDS);
lack of a cure;
lack of a vaccine;
social and other health problems
isolated rural areas / migration;
poorly educated population;
slums / shanties;
poor health facilities;
few health professionals;
illiteracy;
contact tracing;
other named health problems (e.g. TB / malnutrition);
ref under-reporting / misdiagnosis / unaware of HIV status / AW;
civil war / political instability; max 6
Q legible text with accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar 1
[Total : 10]
Viral diseases: AIDS
(CIE: AIDS)
question 1
Correct Answer

What do the letters AIDS stand for?

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Question 2

The shape and arrangement of the capsomeres in HIV means that it is

classified as:
polyhedral

Correct Answer
question 3
Correct Answer

Which of the following statements best describes HIV?

icosahedral capsid with single-stranded RNA surrounded by lipid envelope
and glycoproteins

question 4
Correct Answer

When HIV enters the bloodstream it infects:

T-helper cells

question 5
Correct Answer

The enzyme in HIV that catalyses the formation of DNA from RNA is:
reverse transcriptase

question 6
Correct Answer

The virus infects cells that have a surface protein called:

CD4

question 7
Correct Answer

One of the first drugs found to prolong the life of AIDS sufferers was:
AZT

question 8

Which of these measures can prevent the spread of AIDS? education use of
sterile needles safe sex
A, B and C

Correct Answer

Antibiotics
(CIE topic: Antibiotics) OCR, January 2002
A drop of a solution containing Escherichia coli bacteria was spread over the surface of
nutrient agar in a petri dish, labelled dish A (see Fig. 2 below). Each cell in the original
drop reproduced to form a colony of cells on the agar surface.
A sterile wooden cylinder, over which a sterile felt cloth had been stretched, was lightly
pressed onto the surface of the agar in dish A so that cells were picked up from each E.
coli colony. This procedure is shown in Fig. 1.

The felt covered cylinder was then pressed onto the surface of sterile nutrient agar in several petri dishes,
such as B and C shown in Fig. 2. Cells from each colony on dish A were transferred to corresponding
positions on the new dishes. Some of these new dishes, such as C, had an antibiotic, streptomycin, added to
the nutrient agar.
Typical results are shown in Fig. 2.

Question:
1. With reference to Fig. 2, explain the results shown by dishes B and C;
[3]
Answer:
the colonies on dishes A and B are in the same positions because cell from each colony
on A have reproduced and formed a colony on B;
a small number of the many cells picked up by the felt were resistant to
streptomycin;

ref. to mutation;
resistant / mutant cells had been transferred to the streptomycin agar in C;
these cells had reproduced to form three colonies;
other cells transferred to dish C did not reproduce / were killed;
ref to selection;
2.

Question:
With reference to Fig 2, explain why a swab taken from area Y on dish A would be likely to
include streptomycin resistant cells, while the probability of finding streptomycin resistant cells in
area X is low;
[1]

Answer:
resistant colony developed from Y but not X;
mutation is a rare event;
unlikely that a new mutation occurred during transfer of cells from area X to
dish C;
3.

Question:
With reference to Fig. 2, explain why the swab taken from area Y would be unlikely to include
cells resistant to the antibiotic penicillin.
[2]

Answer:
the antibiotics are chemically different;
different genes would be involved in resistance;
unlikely that both genes would mutate in cells from the same / neighbouring
colony;
Question:
Suggest some implications for users of antibiotics, of the experiment described above.
[2]
Answer:
a large population of bacteria is likely to contain a few mutant cell that are resistant to
any antibiotic;
use of an antibiotic will create a selection pressure;
kills sensitive cells while resistant ones survive and reproduce;
antibiotics should not be used in routine / trivial / casual way;
ref to antibiotic resistance in named bacteria;
antibiotics may become, useless / ineffective;
antibiotics should be rotated;
kept for use as last resort;
[Total : 8]

Antibiotics
(CIE: Antibiotics)
question 1
Correct Answer

Who was the first person to observe antibiotic activity?

Alexander Fleming

question 2
Correct Answer

The process of extraction, purification and modification of antibiotics is

called:
downstream processing

question 3
Correct Answer

What is a secondary metabolite?

a substance produced by a microorganism at the end of its growth phase

question 4
Correct Answer

What organism produces penicillin?

Penicillium notatum

question 5

Resistance in bacteria to specific antibiotics can arise in a number of ways.

Which of the following statements is not a method by which resistance can
arise?
development of immunity to an antibiotic

Correct Answer
question 6
Correct Answer
question 7

During the Second World War antibiotics were produced on a commercial

scale to treat infected wounds of soldiers. This pioneering work was carried
out by:
Harold Florey and Ernst Chain

Correct Answer

One strain of resistant bacteria, known as MRSA, is causing problems in

hospitals. Patients infected with this bacterium take longer to recover. The
letters MRSA stand for:
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

question 8
Correct Answer

The antibiotic streptomycin attacks bacteria by:

interfering with protein synthesis