Evolutionary Medicine Practice Bio Ch 11 and 12

Question 1

explain evolutionarily why in the absence of antibiotics do antibiotic resistance genes tend to disappear or become very rare in a population of bacteria.

Answer 1

Due to a trade-off in which gene resistance reproduces more slowly.

Question 2

Briefly explain how a physician would use chemotherapies to try to avoid the evolution of resistance and potentially cure the patient of cancer?

Answer 2

Due to how chemotherapy often selectively kills rapidly dividing cells.

Question 3

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been continuing concern about the virus evolving to become more virulent. a.) What responses of individuals and governments would favor the evolution of higher virulence of SARS-CoV2 (that would result in more COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths)? Why?

Answer 3

1. No social distancing
2. Not washing their hands
3. Not wearing a mask

Question 4

What could be done to set up a situation where natural selection would favor the evolution of LOWER virulence (with more asymptomatic individuals or individuals with very mild symptoms) rather than higher virulence? Why?

Answer 4

1. Isolation
2. Washing hands
3. Wearing a mask

Question 5

Based on your understanding of Plasmodium and malaria, what would the distribution of bed-covering mosquito-exclusion nets to people in malaria-prone areas do to the evolution of virulence in Plasmodium?
Why? [Remember that Plasmodium must live in a mosquito between human hosts. Also be aware that mosquitoes are more active and likely to bite at night, virulent Plasmodium causes malaria that leaves the patient mostly incoherent and bed ridden, and mild Plasmodium causes malaria that leaves the patient less well but able to go about most normal activities.]

Answer 5

Due to how they are pretty much a vector transition and how plasma (blood) can be transmitted into a disease.

Question 6

Based on your understanding of the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, a.) what are the problems and concerns, and

Answer 6

The problem and concern with antibiotics are that they are not always going to be effective. Making them a second to last resort just like penicillin and how some people are allergic to some antibiotics.

Question 7

What ought to be done to deal with the problem? Why?

Answer 7

We can solve this problem by using fewer antibiotics and using alternative medicine to help treat diseases to fight the bacteria that are effective in the immune system.