Natural Selection and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (Developed by SEPUP)
kit #904S
Why it is important to take an antibiotic as prescribed? Students model the effects of antibiotics on the population of disease-causing bacteria during an infection. During the simulation, some groups complete the full course of antibiotics, while others miss doses. They then graph populations of more-resistant and less-resistant bacteria. Students observe the selection of more-resistant bacteria that can take place if antibiotic treatment is intermittent or discontinued prematurely. Through this activity, student learn why it's important to take "the full course" of antibiotics.
- Creating models is one way to understand and communicate scientific information
- Graphing data can reveal patterns that are not apparent from data tables
- Most infectious diseases are caused by microbes
- The human body has natural defenses against infectious diseases
- Antibiotics are effective against many bacterial infections, but not against viral infections
- Antibiotics can be effective against bacterial infections only if the entire course is completed as directed
Content List in Natural Selection and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (Developed by SEPUP) is as follows:
| Quantity | Description |
|---|---|
| 320 | Blue disks |
| 240 | Yellow disks |
| 240 | Red disks |
| 16 | Number cubes |
| 32 | Student Guides |
| 1 | Teacher’s Guide with MSDS |
| 1 | Transparency: Bacteria Graph Sample 1 |
| 1 | Transparency: Bacteria Graph Sample2 |
- Number of classes
- unlimited (no consumable materials)
- Number of students per class
- 32 maximum
To complete this kit requires one to two ~50-minute class periods.
