antibiotics have been effectively used to treat
bacterial disease; and pesticides have been used to protect our
agricultural crops from many kinds of pests, including insects,
worms (nematodes), fungi, or agricultural weeds, for example.
A growing concern for treating bacterial diseases or pest
outbreaks is the evolution of antibiotic or pesticide resistance by
bacterial or pest populations. Resistance means that a particular
antibiotic is no longer effective in treating a disease, or that a
particular pesticide will no longer prevent crop damage. This
resistance can be viewed as evolution of a new trait at the
population level, which is resistance to an antibiotic or to a
pesticide. In this assignment, you will explore specific examples
of antibiotic or pesticide resistance.
Assignment Details
Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a
big concern in hospitals throughout the country and the world, as
have other antibiotic resistant bacterial strains.
Part 1
The use, overuse, and abuse of antibiotics is accredited with
creating these antibiotic resistant strains. Explain how this
relates to natural selection. Describe 1–2 of the things that
people do (you can include individuals, doctors, health care
professionals, hospitals, farmers, etc.) that contribute to this
problem? Why? Part 2
How can you prevent or slow down the spread and further the
selection of new antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria? Are
there things that you can personally do to reduce your risk or even
to reduce the spread of these dangerous microbes? What is your
reaction to the following sign that is commonly found in restrooms?
Is it significant to the discussion of antibiotic resistance?
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