Photo AI
A gardener noticed a red and swollen area on his arm that had received a deep scratch from a thorn on a plant - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 28 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 28
A gardener noticed a red and swollen area on his arm that had received a deep scratch from a thorn on a plant. Identify the most likely human defence adaptation tha... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A gardener noticed a red and swollen area on his arm that had received a deep scratch from a thorn on a plant - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 28 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Why did the doctor prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection?
Answer
The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat the infection because the redness and swelling indicated that bacteria may have entered the wound. Antibiotics are effective in killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
Step 3
Explain how this action by the gardener might lead to antibiotic resistance.
Answer
When the gardener stopped taking the antibiotic after only five days, he may not have eliminated all the bacteria causing the infection. This incomplete treatment allows some bacteria to survive, potentially those with genetic mutations that confer resistance. These resistant bacteria can then multiply, making future infections harder to treat with the same antibiotic. This is an example of natural selection, where the antibiotic creates selective pressure, favoring the survival of resistant strains.