Diseases and Disorders · SHS2 Biomedical Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 2.2.2.LI.4 - Analyse how antibiotics are used to treat infections and explain how the effectiveness depends on the causative bacteria.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

State the general purpose of antibiotics and distinguish them from other medicines such as painkillers or antimalarials.
Describe at least four mechanisms by which antibiotics kill bacteria or stop their multiplication (e.g., cell wall disruption, protein synthesis inhibition).
Explain why an antibiotic that works for one bacterial infection may fail for another, using the difference between gram positive and gram negative bacteria as a key factor.
Justify why antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections such as the common cold or COVID-19.
Analyse a simple case scenario and recommend an appropriate antibiotic approach, giving reasons based on the type of bacteria suspected.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Human Body Systems (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Diseases and Disorders (2.2)
Content standard: 2.2.2.CS.2 - Demonstrate knowledge of bacteria and viruses as causative agents of infectious diseases. 2.2.2.LO.1 Describe how malfunctions the nervous and endocrine systems affect other body systems and lifestyle. 2.2.2.LO.2 Understand how the structure of bacteria and virus dictates treatment protocols, concept of immune response and the impact of infections the society.
Indicator: 2.2.2.LI.4 - Analyse how antibiotics are used to treat infections and explain how the effectiveness depends on the causative bacteria.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 3 (Week 23 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 67

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Experiential Learning: Using pictures/charts/videos, the teacher guides the class to brainstorm the mechanisms of antibiotic action in killing of bacterial cells or stoppage of bacterial multiplication. Learners should discuss the dependence of the efficacy of an antibiotic in relation to the bacteria type (gram positive vs gram negative bacteria).
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Videos
- Stained slides
- Pictures
- Charts
- Projector
Assessment (2.2.2.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall; Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding; Level 3 Strategic reasoning; Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.