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Bacteriophages are viruses that use bacteria as host cells - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 28 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 28
Bacteriophages are viruses that use bacteria as host cells. One type of bacteriophage infects only one species of bacterial cell. The infected cells are destroyed as... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Bacteriophages are viruses that use bacteria as host cells - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 28 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain TWO advantages of using bacteriophage treatment compared to antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections:
Answer
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Specificity: One key advantage of bacteriophage treatment is that bacteriophages are highly specific to their bacterial hosts. This means that they can target and kill specific bacterial strains without affecting beneficial bacteria in the human microbiome, unlike broad-spectrum antibiotics that can disrupt normal flora and lead to side effects.
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Reduced Risk of Resistance: Bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics through various mechanisms, making treatment less effective over time. Bacteriophages, on the other hand, can evolve alongside bacteria, potentially reducing the likelihood of resistance. As bacteria mutate, phages can also adapt, thus maintaining their effectiveness against evolving bacterial populations.
Step 2
Describe a possible disadvantage of using bacteriophage treatment.
Answer
A possible disadvantage of using bacteriophage treatment is the potential for the presence of pre-existing antibodies in the human body. If a patient has had prior exposure to certain bacteriophages, their immune system may recognize and neutralize these phages before they can effectively treat the bacterial infection. This can lead to reduced efficacy of the treatment and may necessitate the use of multiple or different phages to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.