Natural Selection and Antibiotic Resistance Flashcard

Front

What is antibiotic resistance?

Back

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic, making it difficult to treat infections.

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What is the main concern about antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

Back

It can make it difficult to treat bacterial infections.

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What does 'fitness' mean in a biological context?

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In biology, fitness refers to how many offspring an organism can produce, indicating its ability to survive and reproduce.

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What is the purpose of developing new antibiotics?

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To stay one step ahead of bacteria and combat antibiotic resistance.

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What role do vaccines play in preventing bacterial infections?

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Vaccines, like the DTaP vaccine, protect individuals from bacterial infections by stimulating the immune system.

Front

What is the impact of using antibiotics unnecessarily?

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It can lead to antibiotic resistance, making it difficult to treat bacterial infections.

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How do bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics?

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Bacteria can develop resistance through mutations or acquiring resistance genes from other bacteria.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is the significance of genetic variation in populations?

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Genetic variation is crucial for natural selection, as it provides the raw material for evolution.

Front

What is the difference between a vaccine and an antibiotic?

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Vaccines prevent infections by preparing the immune system, while antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria.