Antibiotic Resistance Is One of the Most Serious Emerging Health

question 40

Multiple Choice

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious emerging health problems in the world today. More than 70 percent of disease-causing bacteria are resistant to at least one of the currently available antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one such bacterium and is responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. In people with pre-existing conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF) , P. aeruginosa can cause persistent lung infections. CF is a genetic disease in which some membrane transport molecules do not function. In the lungs, this leads to hardened mucus that makes it difficult for gas exchange and mucus that can also harbor bacteria such as P. aeuruginosa . Because Amanda has cystic fibrosis, she is a frequent patient at her local hospital due to lung infections. On one visit, she was infected with P. aeruginosa . In her lungs, these bacteria secrete a protective substance that forms a layer over the bacteria. This layer is likely a(n) __________.

• A) biofilm
• B) histamine
• C) antimicrobial protein complex
• D) complement toxin

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Definitions:

Shift

In a general sense, it refers to a change or movement from one position, state, or direction to another.

Equilibrium Constant

A number that expresses the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium for a chemical reaction, indicating the extent of the reaction.

Ammonia

A colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell, consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH3), used as a fertilizer and cleaning agent.

Catalyst

A material that accelerates the speed of a chemical reaction without experiencing any lasting chemical alteration.