Chapter 19, Problem 1Q

Which of the following organisms is most problematic with respect to its resistance to antibiotics?

1. a. Streptococcus pyogenes
2. b. Haemophilus influenzae
3. c. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
4. d. Bordetella pertussis

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Microbes are the smallest living things that are not visible with naked eyes. These microbes are present everywhere. Antibiotics are the drugs that are used to treat infection caused by bacteria. Antibiotics majorly target the protein synthesis pathway because all organisms synthesize proteins through translation machinery.

Answer to Problem 1Q

Correct answer:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most problematic microorganism with respect to its resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, option (c) is correct.

Option (c) is given as “Mycobacterium tuberculosis”.

Explanation of Solution

Justify reasons for the correct statement:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the microorganism that has many problems related to its resistance to antibiotics because it is rapidly emerging and changing its gene. It also has a waxy layer that makes the cell impermeable to any stain due to which they remain in the body. So, it is very difficult to develop new antibiotics to cure the diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Justify reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (a) is given as “Streptococcus phyogenes”.

Streptococcus phyogenes will not have any problem with respect to its resistance to antibiotics because strain of these bacteria will remain same and does not have waxy layer. So, it will not create problems related to resistance to antibiotics. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b) is given as “Haemophilus influenza”.

Haemophilus influenza will not have any problem with respect to its resistance to antibiotics because strain of this bacteria will remain same and does not have a waxy layer. So, it will not create problems related to resistance to antibiotics. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given as “Bordetella pertusis”.

Bordetella pertusis will not have any problem with respect to its resistance to antibiotics because strain of this bacteria will remain same and does not have waxy layer. So it will not create problems related to resistance to antibiotics. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the microorganism that has a problem with respect to its resistance to antibiotics because it changes its genome again and again and has a waxy layer.