Question

1. Read the article then explain how rapid reproduction in bacteria causes them to evolve quickly.

2. List 2 reasons we should be concerned about antibiotic resistance.
3. Finally, of the possible causes provided (in class or from the article) share the one you think is most at fault for our superbug (bacteria resistance) problem.

Answer 1

Answer No 1:

The ability of bacteria to reproduce in a rapid manner allows it to evolve quickly. As the rate of reproduction is more, the rate of mutations to occur also becomes more. By these mutations, some bacteria might become resistant to antibiotics.

Answer No 2:

Two reasons we should be concerned about antibiotic resistance are:

1: Harmful strains of bacteria which are mutant against the antibiotic will cause harmful diseases in humans as well as animals. As they would become resistant to antibiotics we won't be able to kill them.

2: The harmful strains of bacteria can become so strong in number that they might outnumber the useful micro flora that we possess.

Answer No 3:

The overuse of antibiotics led to the bacteria developing mutations at such a faster rate. The use of antibiotics should have been limited to only under serious circumstances.