Question
Two students are discussing natural selection in bacteria and how it can relate to antibiotic resistance in
bacteria.
Bernadette states that when antibiotics are used, bacteria can respond by developing traits to help them
defeat the antibiotic, which then may increase their fitness.
Dominique states that there is already a variety of traits among the bacteria. Bacteria that have traits that
allow them to survive the antibiotic and reproduce may have higher fitness.
Which individual's reasoning do you agree with more and why?
bacteria.
Bernadette states that when antibiotics are used, bacteria can respond by developing traits to help them
defeat the antibiotic, which then may increase their fitness.
Dominique states that there is already a variety of traits among the bacteria. Bacteria that have traits that
allow them to survive the antibiotic and reproduce may have higher fitness.
Which individual's reasoning do you agree with more and why?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Both Bernadette and Dominique have valid points regarding natural selection and antibiotic resistance in bacteria, but Dominique's reasoning aligns more closely with the principles of evolutionary biology.
Bernadette's statement suggests that bacteria "develop traits" in response to antibiotics. This implies a direct adaptation or a conscious response to environmental pressures, which is not how evolution works. Instead of developing new traits immediately in response to antibiotics, bacteria that survive do so because they already possess genetic variations that allow them to withstand the antibiotic's effects.
Dominique correctly emphasizes that there is a pre-existing variety of traits within the bacterial population. When antibiotics are applied, some bacteria may inherently have traits, such as mutations that confer resistance, allowing them to survive and reproduce. Those individuals that do survive will reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to the next generation, leading to an overall increase in antibiotic resistance in the population over time. This is consistent with the natural selection process where individuals with traits that confer a survival advantage are more likely to reproduce, thus increasing their representation in the population.
In summary, I agree more with Dominique's reasoning, as it accurately reflects the mechanisms of natural selection and the role of genetic variation in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Bernadette's statement suggests that bacteria "develop traits" in response to antibiotics. This implies a direct adaptation or a conscious response to environmental pressures, which is not how evolution works. Instead of developing new traits immediately in response to antibiotics, bacteria that survive do so because they already possess genetic variations that allow them to withstand the antibiotic's effects.
Dominique correctly emphasizes that there is a pre-existing variety of traits within the bacterial population. When antibiotics are applied, some bacteria may inherently have traits, such as mutations that confer resistance, allowing them to survive and reproduce. Those individuals that do survive will reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to the next generation, leading to an overall increase in antibiotic resistance in the population over time. This is consistent with the natural selection process where individuals with traits that confer a survival advantage are more likely to reproduce, thus increasing their representation in the population.
In summary, I agree more with Dominique's reasoning, as it accurately reflects the mechanisms of natural selection and the role of genetic variation in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.