The war on bacteria

Antibiotics work by attacking bacteria, but the bugs are fighting back

Antibiotics shut cell factories

Bacteria have molecular factories that make the molecules they need to survive. Some antibiotics shut them down.

Antibiotics burst bacteria

Some antibiotics stop bacteria building their protective cell wall: the pressure builds and they pop.

Bacteria neutralise antibiotics

Some bacteria make molecules that stick to antibiotics and stop them working.

Antibiotics stop division

Some antibiotics interfere with bacteria’s genetic code, preventing them from dividing.

Bacteria pump antibiotics out

If antibiotics do get inside bacteria, some are able to pump them straight out again.

Bacteria block antibiotic entry

Some bacteria have developed ways to stop antibiotics from getting through their cell walls.

Bacteria change their molecules

Antibiotics work by clinging on to bacterial molecules, so if the bacteria can change their shape they can sometimes escape.