Why Is It More Difficult to Treat Fungal Infections Than

question 46

Multiple Choice

Why is it more difficult to treat fungal infections than bacterial infections in humans?

• A) Fungi are larger organisms than bacteria and thus require stronger drugs to stop an infection.
• B) Most fungi are multicellular and thus the drugs required to treat a fungal infection must be able to kill several types of cells; bacteria, on the other hand, are unicellular and thus simpler to kill.
• C) Fungal and animal cells and proteins are similar. Thus, drugs that disrupt fungal cell or protein function may also disrupt human cell or protein function.
• D) Fungi are able to mutate more quickly than bacteria, so they quickly develop resistance to antifungal drugs.

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Definitions:

Mandible

The lower jawbone, which is the largest, strongest bone in the face, serving for the reception of the lower teeth and providing structure for facial shape and motion.

Maxillary

Relating to the upper jawbone, which forms part of the face and holds the upper teeth.

Fontanels

Soft spots on a baby's skull where the bones have not yet fused, allowing for flexibility during birth and brain growth.

Sella Turcica

A saddle-shaped depression in the sphenoid bone of the skull that houses the pituitary gland.