It's so Over
The bacteriophages in this experiment undergo the pathway that more quickly lyses bacterial cells. True or False?
True
Bacteriophages only carry double-stranded DNA or both DNA and RNA but never just single-stranded RNA. True or False?
False. Bacteriophages can carry either DNA or RNA, but never both at the same time.
In this study, only one kind of bacteriophage can effectively cause A. Baumannii to be more susceptible to antibiotics. True or False?
False. There are two bacteriophages in this study that can cause A. Baumannii to be more susceptible to bacteria: ΦFG02 and ΦCO01
True or False: Phage resistant strains form Biofilms to prevent Phage binding
False. Phage resistant strains have mutations which remove their capsules. This is how they become phage-resistant.
Was there an increase or decrease in bacterial load when the WT strain was given Phage therapy?
Decrease
What is the process of the bacteriophage binding to the bacterial cell called?
Adsorption
What part of a bacteriophage penetrates bacterial cell membranes?
Contractile Tail Sheath
Which of the two pathways bacteriophages take is more dangerous to bacterial cells?
Lytic Pathway
A. Baumannii predominantly exists in what lifestyle?
Biofilm
What is the part of the bacterial cell that the phage binds to in A. baumannii?
The capsule
Why are bacteriophages generally safe to use on humans?
They are only specific to bacterial cells
What structural part of a bacteriophage recognizes and binds to bacterial receptors?
A: The tail fibers
Did the WT (Phage-susceptible) or Mutant (Phage-resistant) strain have greater virulence in vivo?
WT (Phage-Susceptible)
What is the name of the method of gene transfer between bacterial cells using bacteriophages?
Transduction
What is the part at which a bacteriophage binds to a bacterial cell composed of?
Capsular Polysaccharides
What kind of mutation in the gene structure of A. Baumannii codes for phage resistance?
A single nucleotide deletion that causes a frameshift mutation.
Phage resistant A. Baumannii strains are evolved to not have bacteriophage-binding-site areas, but as a result are more vulnerable to antibiotics. What concept best describes this phenomena?
Evolutionary Trade-off or Fitness Cost
Why did the survival curve for non phage resistant strains increase after 8 hours?
Phage resistant strains emerged after 8 hours
What is the name of the method of gene transfer between bacterial cells using bacteriophages?
Transduction
Where are the genes located that code for capsular proteins on A. Baumannii?
The K-Locus
What specifically gave us proof that these bacteriophages follow a lytic pathway?
Figures B and C that show susceptible strains being initially lysed, and the re-emergence of phage resistant strains can be observed past 8 hours.
Why was MIC used in this experiment?
To test if bacteriophage-resistant strains were more susceptible to antibiotics
Why are phage resistant strains more susceptible to antibiotics? (2 things)
They do not have a polysaccharide capsule which means they cannot form biofilms
How would the MIC change if a Strain regains sensitivity to an antibiotic?
Decrease
Name both mechanisms by which the capsule of A. baumannii contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
1) Formation of biofilms ; 2) Blocking antibiotic penetration