Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Antibiotics

Antibiotics — practice question

Countries with a large number of malaria cases also experience problems from bacterial diseases. As a result, many people in these countries are prescribed antibiotics, such as penicillin, to treat bacterial infections.
(a)[3]

Outline how penicillin acts on bacterial cells.

(b)[1]

Name one of the four species of $\textit{Plasmodium}$ that can cause malaria.

(c)[1]

The male $\textit{Anopheles}$ mosquito does not feed on blood and so does not act as a vector. Suggest why there is a difference in this feeding behaviour between male and female $\textit{Anopheles}$.

(d)[3]

Suggest explanations for the results shown in Fig. 5.1 and comment on the importance of these results for doctors working in countries that have malaria and a high number of bacterial infections.

(e)[4]

Explain the difficulties faced by researchers in developing a malaria vaccine.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 12-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Penicillin prevents cross‑link formation between peptidoglycan chains

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