Bacteriology is the study of microscopic living things called bacteria. Scientists are learning more about how to promote the growth of good bacteria and fight bad ones to improve our health. Additionally, bacteria are used in various industries to produce useful compounds.

While antibiotics are very powerful in the cure of many bacterial diseases, some bacteria have developed ways to resist antibiotics. The extensive use of antibiotics (unfortunately including the over-prescription and misuse of these medications) has resulted in the evolution of bacteria that are not be killed by antibiotics and these bacteria once again threaten health and life. Diseases that were virtually eliminated with the introduction of antibiotics are becoming more and more difficult to cure. Each and every one of us has the ability to help with this ever increasing problem.

Are bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics? This science project will explore the effects of repeated exposure to antibiotics on bacteria.

Purpose: Does bacteria become more resistant to an antibiotic when exposed repeatedly to it?

BACKGROUND:

Antibiotics are substances that are produced by molds or bacteria and that kill
or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms.   Antibiotics specifically attack bacteria without harming cells belonging to the
organism that produced them. Antibiotics such as penicillin kill bacteria by inhibiting them from making cell walls that are needed for their survival.
Without their cell wall the contents of the cells leak out and the cell is
destroyed. Human and animal cells don’t require a cell wall in order to survive,
thus these antibiotics do not damage them. While antibiotics are very powerful in the cure of many bacterial diseases, some
bacteria have developed ways to resist antibiotics. The extensive use of
antibiotics (unfortunately including the over-prescription and misuse of these
medications) has resulted in the evolution of bacteria that are not be killed by
antibiotics and these bacteria once again threaten health and life. Diseases
that were virtually eliminated with the introduction of antibiotics are becoming
more and more difficult to cure. Each and every one of us has the ability to
help with this ever increasing problem.


EXPERIMENT# 1 MATERIALS:

• One sterile agar plate labeled with letter A (for antibiotic added)
• One sterile agar plate without writing on it (antibiotic free plate)
• Objects of your choice to test for the presence of microorganisms: a penny,
keys, pens, etc.
• Q-tips (to get bacteria from teeth, sandwiches, fruit juice, etc.)
• toothpicks
• markers for labeling
 
EXPERIMENT# 1 PROCEDURE (FIRST WEEK)

1: Get one of each type of agar plate and label it on the bottom with your name,
date, and the origin of your bacteria. You may want to divide the plate into
sections by drawing lines on the bottom of the plate (on the outside) and trying
different objects in each section.

2: Open the cover of the plate and gently press your object on the surface of
the agar. Be careful not to press too hard – you don’t want to press through the
agar. Make sure to label what object you used in each section. If you want to
try testing food, drinks, your teeth, etc., then wet the Q-tip with the object,
and rub the Q-tip on the surface of the agar. You can also use a toothpick.
 
3. Cover the plate as soon as you remove your object, the Q-top, or the
toothpick. You want to have the lid open for as little time as possible so
microorganisms from the air do not fall on the plate.

4: Write a hypothesis about what you think will happen on each of your plates.

Your plate will be left at room temperature until next week so that any bacteria
that are present can grow into colonies.
 
EXPERIMENT# 1 PROCEDURE (SECOND WEEK)

1. Record what you observed on each of your plates.

2. Give an explanation for why you did or did not see growth on the plate that
had the antibiotic added to the medium.

3. Discuss how you might be able to help preventing a further increase in
antibiotic resistant microorganisms.

EXPERIMENT# 2

Because of the increased occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria a doctor

might test which antibiotics the disease causing bacterium is sensitive to
before writing a prescription. Today we will use an assay, similar to the one
the doctor would perform, to determine whether the Escherichia colibacterium (a
harmless bacterium growing in our gut) is sensitive or resistant to the
antibiotics penicillinG and tetracycline.

EXPERIMENT# 2 MATERIALS:

- One sterile agar plate
- A culture of Escherichia coli bacteria
- A sterile swab
- One tetracycline antibiotic disc
- One penicillinG antibiotic disc
- Forceps 

EXPERIMENT# 2 PROCEDURE (FIRST WEEK)

1: Get one agar plate and label it on the bottom with your name and the date.

Take a swab and soak it into the liquid bacterial culture. Open the cover of the
plate and gently streak the swab numerous times across the agar so that bacteria
will grow on the whole plate. Use forceps to remove an antibiotic disc and place
it on one side of the plate (approximately 1/2 inch from the side). On the
opposite side place the second antibiotic disc.

2: Cover the plate as soon as you placed your antibiotic discs on them. Your
plate will be incubated at 37C so that the Escherichia coli bacteria can grow on
the plate.

EXPERIMENT# 2 PROCEDURE (SECOND WEEK)

1: Record what you observed on the plate

2: Give an explanation for why you did or did not see growth on around the
discs.

 

Does Bacteria Become Resistant to Antibiotics?

Does bacteria become more resistant to an antibiotic when exposed repeatedly to it?

<h1><strong>1000 Science Fair Project Ideas by Subject</strong></h1><p>Looking for a science fair project idea? Each of our science fair project idea has complete instructions with video. Get ideas for your science projects, find extra resources for your class' scientific projects, or try a fun experiment at home! It doesn't matter what grade you're in, there's something for everyone!</p><p>You can find your perfect science fair project from the different science subjects below or from our <a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/category0.html#bottom">science fair project idea lists!</a></p>

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An easy science fair project is a great way to introduce the wonders of science to kids and adults alike!</p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><ul><li><p>Changing the Color of Flowers</p></li><li><p>Baking Soda Volcano</p></li><li><p>Swimming Raisins</p></li><li><p>Egg in Vinegar</p></li><li><p>Color of Skittles Experiment</p></li><li><p>Jumping Rice Krispies</p></li><li><p>Mixing Colors of Light</p></li><li><p>Camouflage and Hide</p></li><li><p>Light and Dark on Seed Germination</p></li><li><p>Make a Parachute</p></li></ul><p>More science project details at <a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_project_list/12">Easy Science Fair Projects <strong>→</strong></a></p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><h3>The Top 10 Best Science Fair Projects</h3><p><img src="/images2/flex/177_popular 2 (3).png" data-size="100" data-float="left" style="width:100px; float:left">To find the best science fair project for you, we've picked the best science projects from 10 different science categories, all with very interesting topics. 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With just a few simple things, you can be fascinated by science and have tons of fun with these popular science projects!</p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><ul><li><p>Explosive Elephant Toothpaste</p></li><li><p>Egg in Vinegar</p></li><li><p>Electrifying Lemon Battery</p></li><li><p>Making Oobleck: Liquid or Solid?</p></li><li><p>Egg Drop Project</p></li><li><p>Colors of Skittles Experiment</p></li><li><p>Cloud in a Bottle</p></li><li><p>Baking Soda Volcano</p></li><li><p>Egg in a Bottle</p></li><li><p>Plastic Milk</p></li></ul><p>Project details and more cool science projects at <a href="https://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_project_list/1/Popular_Science_Experiments_At_Home">Popular Science Fair Projects <strong>→</strong></a></p><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><hr style="clear:both; border-style:dotted" data-marker="clearFloat"><h3>One-Day Science Fair Project Ideas</h3><p><img src="/images2/flex/172_popular 2 (1).png" data-size="100" data-float="left" style="width:100px; float:left">Quick experiments can be a great option for a science fair project. 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Microbiology is the study of tiny living things that we can't see with our eyes, like bacteria, viruses and fungi. Microbiologists study how these microorganisms grow, reproduce, and interact with their environment, and how they can affect our health.

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Does Bacteria Become Resistant to Antibiotics?

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