1. Compare and discuss FOUR methods of microbial control that achieve STERILIZATION. Indicate conditions required for greatest action, limitations, advantages, and applications of each.
2. Assume that you are the person in charge of decontamination and sterilization of materials in a large hospital.
For each of the following indicate whether the object is critical, semi-critical, or non-critical and what type of method/product (sterilant, high, intermediate, or low level disinfectant, and give an example), would be best for each circumstance. Justify your answers.
a. sterilize a mechanical ventilator contaminated with a weaponized Variola virus for reuse.
b. intravenous glucose-saline solutions containing heat labile supplemental nutrients.
c. sterilize used disposable syringes for discard.
d. the telephone and TV remote on the bedside table in a patient's room who has just checked out.
e. many, many other possible examples
3. Describe the four main mechanisms by which bacteria demonstrate resistance to antimicrobial agents. (What makes them resistant?)
4. Define each of the following terms and then discuss how conjugation, transformation, mutation, and transduction may be causing an increase in antibiotic resistance among bacteria.
5. Describe the 5 main targets for antibiotics within a bacterial cell?
6. Discuss 3 ways to control enzyme activity/synthesis in a cell. (think about inhibitors, operators, etc.)
7. Describe the process of DNA synthesis.
8. Describe the process of transcription.
9. Describe the process of translation.
10. Compare the modes of action and origin of the antibiotics penicillin, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, and polymyxin B.
11. List the four products of fermentation. Describe tests performed in lab that look for these products.
12. Compare and contrast DNA and RNA with regard to structure and function.