The introduction of the antibiotic methicillin was once successful in destroying Staphylococcus bacterial infections. More recently, strains of Staphylococcus bacteria have undergone mutations that cause the bacteria to be resistant to the action of methicillin, leading to increased incidence of the disease MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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The introduction of the antibiotic methicillin was once successful in destroying Staphylococcus bacterial infections. More recently, strains of Staphylococcus bacteria have undergone mutations that cause the bacteria to be resistant to the action of methicillin, leading to increased incidence of the disease MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

 

 

How would the proportion of bacteria carrying this mutation change in the population over time in populations treated with methicillin?

A. The number of mutated bacteria would increase because the mutated bacteria would outcompete the non-mutated bacteria for resources.
B. The number of mutated bacteria would decrease because the non-mutated bacteria would outcompete the mutated bacteria for resources.
C. The number of mutated bacteria would decrease because the non-mutated bacteria would be selected for over time through natural selection.
D. The number of mutated bacteria would increase because the mutated bacteria are more successful and are able to reproduce more bacteria with the same mutation.
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