Photo AI
After an infection was treated with a new drug, inflammation decreased - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 12 - 2008 - Paper 1
Question 12
After an infection was treated with a new drug, inflammation decreased. In a few patients, inflammation returned after one week. In these patients, the pathogens cau... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:After an infection was treated with a new drug, inflammation decreased - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 12 - 2008 - Paper 1
Step 1
What conclusion can be drawn from these observations?
Answer
The best conclusion from the observations is option (D): A few pathogens resistant to the drugs were present at the start of treatment and natural selection increased their numbers. This option suggests that the treatment allowed the weaker pathogens to be eliminated, while those with resistance survived and multiplied, leading to a resurgence of inflammation.