Within six months of effectively using the antibiotic methicillin to treat Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infections in patients, all new infections are caused by antibiotic resistant strains. Which of the following explanations is most consistent with the theory of evolution by natural selection? A. In response to treatment with methicillin, all S. aureus bacteria make antibiotic- resistant versions of the protein targeted by the drug. B. Methicillin resistant S. aureus were present in some patients before treatment and antibiotic use increased the frequency of methicillin resistance in the population. C. The antibiotic caused mutations in S. aureus bacteria that made it resistant to further treatment by antibiotics. OD. A and C only E. A, B and C
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Natural selection favors traits that increase survival and reproduction. In this case, antibiotic resistance is a trait that increases survival in the presence of antibiotics. Show more…
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