Why Isn’t My Antibiotic Working?

Part I
Your throat hurts, and it’s been hurting for the last 24 hours, getting progressively worse.
You’re worried because you were just visiting your cousin last weekend, and his 4-year-old
daughter was just diagnosed with strep throat. You know it’s pretty contagious, and your
cousin called as soon as his daughter was diagnosed. “Ugh,” you think. You don’t want to go
to the doctor; it takes time, and you’re busy with school and work. But your throat is on
fire, and you know that strep throat, if left untreated, can cause problems far worse than a
sore throat and can even lead to death. You head to urgent care.

Once there, the doctor does a quick examination and then a throat swab. “We’ll do a rapid
strep test,” she says, “and your results will be back in about 15 minutes. Do you have any
drug allergies?” You answer, “Yes, to penicillin.” You try to forget the day you turned bright
red and swelled up like a chipmunk over several hours. Fifteen minutes later the doctor
comes in and hands you a prescription for azithromycin, which belongs to a class of
antibiotics called macrolides. “It’s definitely strep. Get this filled, and be sure to take it as
prescribed until it’s gone. If you still have symptoms in three days, please call us.”

You’re relieved, as the visit didn’t take long and the strep should be gone soon, as well as
the burning in your throat. As you are waiting for the prescription to be ready, you wonder
how this drug works. You remember in biology talking about cell structures and something
about selective toxicity. But you need to do a little research, so you pull out your phone.

1. Before you start your internet search, you need to recall and review the structure and
function of cells. To do so, please fill in the chart.
Cell Structure Structure (describe or Function Type(s) of Cells
draw) with This
Structure
Nucleus Composed of a nuclear Houses Eukaryotic
envelope, which is a the cell’s DNA and
membrane covering the directs the
nucleus, as well as synthesis of
nucleoplasm, a fluid ribosomes and
inside the nucleus. proteins
Rough endoplasmic A a series of Modifies and Eukaryotic
reticulum interconnected prepares proteins
membranous sacs and
tubules. The RER is
called as such due to the
“rough” appearance
given to it from
ribosomes covering it
surface.
Smooth Similar to that of the Synthesizes Eukaryotic
endoplasmic RER, as it is a carbohydrates,
reticulum continuation of the lipids, and steroid
organelle, but without hormones;
the “rough” ribosomes. detoxifies
medications and
poisons; stores
calcium ions.
Golgi apparatus A series of flattened Sorts, tags, packs Eukaryotic
membranes/pouches and distributes
called cisternae lipids and proteins
Nucleoid Irregularly Shaped, and Houses DNA in Prokaryotic
lacking a membrane. Prokaryotic cells
Cytoskeleton Network of protein Helps maintain the Eukaryotes and
fibers within a cell that cell's shape, secure Prokaryotes
act as a sort of some organelles in
“skeleton” to give specific positions,
support to the cell. allow cytoplasm
and vesicles to
move within the
cell, and enable
cells within
multicellular
organisms to move
Flagella Tail like structures that Help to propel the Eukaryotes or
can be singular or cell and provide Prokaryotes
multiple, protruding movement.
from the cell
2. What does selective toxicity mean in regards to how antibiotics work?
INSERT ANSWER

3. Based on the list above, are there any structures bacterial cells have that eukaryal cells
do not?
INSERT ANSWER

4. After seeing that there are not many structures bacterial cells have that eukaryal cells
do not, you wonder how scientists have found drugs that target bacteria, while not
harming humans. You go back and look at the list of structures that both types of cells
have. List these structures below.
INSERT ANSWER

5. Then you think to yourself, well maybe the above structures are not exactly the same.
And here you begin your internet search. Remember to cite your sources using APA
Style.

a. What cell structure does azithromycin target?

INSERT ANSWER
 b. What is the function of this cell structure?
INSERT ANSWER

c. Do both eukaryal and bacterial cells have this cell structure?

INSERT ANSWER

d. Are there any differences between the structure in bacterial and eukaryal cells?
If so, please explain.
INSERT ANSWER

Part II
You’ve been taking the azithromycin for three days, but your throat is still on fire and now
you are running a fever. You call the doctor. She says you likely have a resistant strain of
Streptococcus pyogenes. She prescribes another antibiotic, Cefadroxil, which belongs to a
class of antibiotics called cephalosporins.

1. Your friend wants to know how you became resistant to an antibiotic. What do you tell
her?
INSERT ANSWER
2. What is the cell structure target of cephalosporins? Explain how this leads to selective
toxicity.
INSERT ANSWER

Part III
After 24 hours of taking Cefadroxil, you start to feel better. Your fever is gone and your
throat is feeling well enough to eat some actual food, instead of just yogurt and milkshakes.
You ponder the problem of antibiotic resistance, and imagine what your life would be like
without it.

1. How do you think your life would be different without effective antibiotics?
INSERT ANSWER