Swine Are Vulnerable to Infection by Bird Flu Virus and Human

question 10

Multiple Choice

Swine are vulnerable to infection by bird flu virus and human flu virus, which can both be present in an individual pig at the same time. When this occurs, it is possible for genes from bird flu virus and human flu virus to be combined. If the human flu virus contributes a gene for Tamiflu resistance (Tamiflu is an antiviral drug) to the new virus, and if the new virus is introduced to an environment lacking Tamiflu, then what is most likely to occur?

• A) The new virus will maintain its Tamiflu-resistance gene, just in case of future exposure to Tamiflu.
• B) The Tamiflu-resistance gene will undergo mutations that convert it into a gene that has a useful function in this environment.
• C) If the Tamiflu-resistance gene involves a cost, it will experience directional selection leading to reduction in its frequency.
• D) If the Tamiflu-resistance gene confers no benefit in the current environment, and has no cost, the virus will become dormant until Tamiflu is present.

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Definitions:

Short Run

In economics, a timeframe during which the production process has limitations due to fixed resources, leading to constraints on firm adjustments and outputs.

Long Run

The long run is a period in economics during which all factors of production and outputs are variable and can be adjusted, contrary to the fixed factors present in the short run.

Marginal Cost Curve

A visual display illustrating the variation in the expense of manufacturing an extra item of a product as the quantity produced alters.

Peak Efficiency

The state of operation where a system or process achieves its maximum productivity with minimal waste and effort.