Antibiotics
What happens to bacteria that survive antibiotic treatment?
The bacteria will reproduce and the population will become increasingly resistant.
What is the theory of evolution?
Species changing over time due to mutation, natural selection, etc.
What are pathogens?
any foreign substance - microbes or viruses that can disrupt homeostasis or cause disease.
What can happen if a population is unable to adapt to their environment?
Extinction.
What causes mutations to occur?
random changes in DNA sequence.
Why are certain bacteria resistant to antibiotics?
They have genetic variations/mutations that allow them to be resistant or unaffected by the effects of antibiotics.
What does it mean to for an organism to have an advantageous trait?
The trait allows them to be more "fit" in their environment to reproduce and survive.
Why are pathogens harmful?
They can cause diseases or disrupt normal life functions.
What can cause differences between individuals in a population?
Sexual reproduction/ mutations
A population of bears evolved to have less fur than other bear populations. Why so?
There is an advantage to having less fur in their environment.
Describe why it is "bad" to overusing antibiotics?
It can lead to bacterial population becoming antibiotic resistant. There is selective pressure for bacteria to become resistant, thus speeding up the process of evolution.
Why is genetic variation important for evolution?
Provides differences between individuals in a population, allows for some individuals to be "selected" for in natural selection. eventually those will adapt and survive.
What can happen if someone does not finish their prescribed antibiotics?
All bacteria are not killed off. bacteria can still be alive "leftovers" and then become resistant. likely to be sick again
Which population is more likely to survive an environmental change and why?
Population A: low variety between individuals
Population B: high variety between individuals
Population B. more variety, likely that at least some individuals can adapt.
Population A: higher chance that no individuals can adapt
Do humans or bacteria evolve faster? Why?
bacteria do: shorter life span, reproduce faster/more often, exchange DNA.
Describe two, specific ways that antibiotics affect bacteria.
Antibiotics can directly kill/destroy bacteria
Antibiotics can stop bacteria from growing (disrupt their DNA synthesis)
Antibiotics can weaken bacteria - their cell membrane.
Antibiotics can disrupt communication between bacteria.
How does sexual reproduction result in evolution?
Increase genetic variation in population. inheritance of advantageous traits.
Mutation of bacteria and evolution of bacteria to become resistant. a process that we cannot stop (or possibly win)
How did some people survive the Black Death?
They had helpful variations that allowed them to have less severe symptoms of Black Death and were able to survive.
what is the significance of using fecal transplants?
use to treat gut bacterial diseases. replenish colon with healthy bacteria,
Why does it matter that infectious bacteria have become resistant to multiple antibiotics?
Propose a solution.
Good hygiene/lifestyle, selectively taking/finish antibiotics, other means of treating infection, etc.
Provide 2 ways that can lead to a faster rate of natural selection.
increased genetic variation, more mutations, increased environmental pressure, more reproduction
Why can diseases such as COVID-19 and the Black Death spread amongst people while other diseases such as cancer and allergies cannot?
COVID-19 and Black Death - causes by infectious bacteria or viruses reproducing
Cancer and allergies are not caused by bacteria/pathogens/viruses. Has to do with internal/native cells affecting themselves.
What can happen after a long period of time if a population is split in two by a geographic barrier?
the 2 new populations will evolve into two separate species, unable to reproduce with one another. possible one population may go extinct, drastic differences between the two.
Some peacocks have beautiful feathers and other peacocks have less appealing feathers.
The peacocks with the most beautiful feathers are more likely to find a mate, so you could say they are most beneficial. So then why do the less appealing feathers still exist?
perhaps the less appealing feathers also have an advantage. ex. more likely to camouflage from predators, more likely to run away if smaller feather patterns.