Clostridium difficile is a bacterial species that causes disease in humans - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 2
Clostridium difficile is a bacterial species that causes disease in humans.
Antibiotic-resistant strains of C. difficile have become a common cause of infection acq... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Clostridium difficile is a bacterial species that causes disease in humans - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 2 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
1. Some bacteria have alleles for resistance;
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Answer
Certain bacteria possess genetic variations that provide them with the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics.
Step 2
2. Exposure to antibiotics is the selection pressure
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When antibiotics are used, they create a selective pressure that reduces the population of non-resistant bacteria, allowing resistant strains to survive and reproduce.
Step 3
3. More antibiotics used in hospital (compared with elsewhere)
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Hospitals often have higher usage rates of antibiotics, increasing the chances for resistant bacteria to emerge and spread, particularly among patients with weakened immune systems.
