1b) Below are two copies of the same graph, which plots the frequency distributi

Question

1b) Below are two copies of the same graph, which plots the frequency distribution of TB bacteria with a range of heritable resistance to an antibiotic, antibiotic X. When an individual takes an antibiotic, the antibiotic stops bacterial cell division and can eventually kill the cells, but cells differ in how long they can persist when the antibiotic is present. You can assume this distribution of bacteria represents natural heritable variation in resistance within an infected human individual who has never previously taken antibiotic X (as is often the case in real-life scenarios).

1b1) LEFT curve: If the infected individual takes antibiotic X for 5 days, but then stops taking the antibiotic, what will be the frequency distribution of TB cells with varying antibiotic resistance in this individual after antibiotic treatment? On top of the curve on the left, draw the distribution of antibiotic resistance in the TB cell population within the individual on day 6 after the individual started taking the antibiotic.

1b2) RIGHT curve: If the infected individual takes antibiotic X for 10 days, and then stops taking the antibiotic, what will be the frequency distribution of TB cells with varying antibiotic resistance in this individual after antibiotic treatment? On top of the curve on the left, draw the distribution of antibiotic resistance in the TB cell population within the individual on day 11 after the individual started taking the antibiotic. ?

1c) Based on your knowledge of the evolution of TB resistance, assuming that the duration of antibiotic treatment impacts the distribution of cells as explored in 1b (above), and assuming that TB cells previously exposed to an antibiotic can begin dividing again when they are no longer exposed to the antibiotic (e.g., if they infect a new individual not on antibiotics), rank the long-term public health threat of the following individuals. We will define "public health threat" according to the mean antibiotic resistance of the TB cell population in the individual, with individuals with a high mean antibiotic resistance being defined as a high public threat. Put a 1 next to the individual who would be the greatest public health threat to others, a 2 next to the individual representing the next-greatest threat, a 3 next to the individual who would present the third-greatest threat, and a 4 next to the individual who would be the least public health threat to others.

_____ An infected person prior to taking antibiotics.

_____ An infected person who took antibiotics for 4 day and then stopped.

_____ An infected person who took antibiotics for 6 days and then stopped.

_____ An infected person who took antibiotics for 10 days and then stopped.

Explanation / Answer

___4__ An infected person prior to taking antibiotics.

___2__ An infected person who took antibiotics for 4 day and then stopped.

___1__ An infected person who took antibiotics for 6 days and then stopped.

___3__ An infected person who took antibiotics for 10 days and then stopped.

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