BIOLOGY DISCUSSION

Background

For many years, antibiotics have been effectively used to treat bacterial disease; and pesticides have been used to protect our agricultural crops from many kinds of pests, including insects, worms (nematodes), fungi, or agricultural weeds, for example.

A growing concern for treating bacterial diseases or pest outbreaks is the evolution of antibiotic or pesticide resistance by bacterial or pest populations. Resistance means that a particular antibiotic is no longer effective in treating a disease, or that a particular pesticide will no longer prevent crop damage. This resistance can be viewed as evolution of a new trait at the population level, which is resistance to an antibiotic or to a pesticide. In this assignment, you will explore specific examples of antibiotic or pesticide resistance.

Assignment Details

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a big concern in hospitals throughout the country and the world, as have other antibiotic resistant bacterial strains.

Part 1

• The use, overuse, and abuse of antibiotics is accredited with creating these antibiotic resistant strains. Explain how this relates to natural selection.

• Describe 1-2 of the things that people do (you can include individuals, doctors, health care professionals, hospitals, farmers, etc.) that contribute to this problem? Why?

Part 2

• How can you prevent or slow down the spread and further the selection of new antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria?

• Are there things that you can personally do to reduce your risk or even to reduce the spread of these dangerous microbes?

• What is your reaction to the following sign that is commonly found in restrooms? Is it significant to the discussion of antibiotic resistance?

• (Free Signage, 2006)

Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list and in-text citations for references used throughout the assignment.

In your own words, please post responses to the Discussion Board posts of at least two of your classmates. Responses must be substantive, i.e. say something of substance that advances the discussion about the concepts. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, the AIU Library, Web resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the following:

o Unit 4: Understanding Evolution
o Unit 4: Observed Instance of Speciation

Reference

Free Signage. (2006). OSHA safety first signs [Image].