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In 2017, a new strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria was discovered that was resistant to 26 different antibiotics - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 5
In 2017, a new strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria was discovered that was resistant to 26 different antibiotics. (i) Explain how Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteri... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In 2017, a new strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria was discovered that was resistant to 26 different antibiotics - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics.
Answer
Klebsiella pneumoniae can develop resistance to antibiotics through a variety of mechanisms:
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Mutation: Genetic mutations can occur that alter the target sites of antibiotics, rendering them ineffective.
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Horizontal Gene Transfer: Bacteria can acquire resistance genes from other bacteria via transformation, transduction, or conjugation, allowing for rapid spread of resistance traits.
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Efflux Pumps: These are proteins that can pump out antibiotics before they can act, decreasing drug concentration within the bacterial cell.
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Enzymatic Degradation: Some bacteria produce enzymes (like beta-lactamases) that can break down antibiotics, effectively neutralizing their effects.
Step 2
State how the use of antibiotics could contribute to Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics.
Answer
The use of antibiotics can create selective pressure in bacterial populations. When antibiotics are used, susceptible bacteria are killed off while those with resistance traits survive and multiply. This leads to an increase in the proportion of resistant bacteria. Over time, this can result in a population that is predominantly resistant to those antibiotics, limiting treatment options.
Step 3