Question

The author indicates that prior to the Stanford University study the scientists generally believed that antibiotic-resistant strains of tuberculosis A) had a better chance of survival than their antibiotic-susceptible ancestors. B) would once again become the most deadly of diseases. C) resulted in lowered amounts of sputum in those they infect. D) did not have a survival rate equal to that of non-resistant strains.

Short answer

The correct answer is D) did not have a survival rate equal to that of non-resistant strains, as it directly addresses the comparison of survival rates between antibiotic-resistant and non-resistant strains of tuberculosis prior to the Stanford University study.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the statement

The statement tells us that before the Stanford University study, scientists had a certain belief about antibiotic-resistant strains of tuberculosis. Therefore, we are looking for an option that portrays the general belief among scientists before the study took place.

Evaluate Option A

Option A states that scientists believed antibiotic-resistant strains had a better chance of survival than their antibiotic-susceptible ancestors. This option seems plausible, as antibiotic resistance would typically be seen as an advantage for the bacteria. However, let's evaluate the other options before making a decision.

Evaluate Option B

Option B suggests that scientists believed antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis would once again become the most deadly of diseases. This statement does not directly indicate anything about the survival rate or comparison between resistant and non-resistant strains, so it is less relevant to the given statement.

Evaluate Option C

Option C mentions that resistant strains result in lowered amounts of sputum in those they infect. This option does not address the survival rates or comparison between antibiotic-resistant strains and their non-resistant counterparts, so it is not relevant in this context.

Evaluate Option D

Option D states that scientists believed antibiotic-resistant strains did not have a survival rate equal to that of non-resistant strains. This statement directly addresses the comparison between resistant and non-resistant strains' survival rates, which is related to the given statement.

Choose the correct option

Based on the analysis of each option, Option D is the most relevant and directly addresses the comparison of survival rates between antibiotic-resistant and non-resistant strains of tuberculosis. Therefore, the correct answer is: D) did not have a survival rate equal to that of non-resistant strains.

Key concepts

Stanford University study

The Stanford University study played a pivotal role in shifting the scientific community's understanding of antibiotic resistance, especially in the context of tuberculosis. Before this study, there was a prevailing belief that antibiotic-resistant strains would have a disadvantage in terms of survival when compared to their non-resistant counterparts. This was thought to be the case since developing and maintaining resistance mechanisms often carry a metabolic cost for bacteria.

However, the research from Stanford suggested otherwise, indicating that antibiotic-resistant strains could indeed thrive and potentially have similar, if not better, survival rates than non-resistant strains. This finding was not only surprising but also quite concerning, considering the global health implications. As antibiotic-resistant bacteria are harder to treat, their ability to survive and proliferate could lead to more difficult-to-control disease outbreaks.

The study likely employed advanced methodologies to monitor the survival and proliferation of bacterial strains under various conditions. By doing so, it provided valuable insights into how bacteria adapt to the threats posed by antibiotic treatments, which is crucial information for the development of new drugs and treatment strategies.

Survival rates of bacterial strains

Discussing the survival rates of bacterial strains is essential when considering the impact of antibiotic resistance. Generally, bacteria are subjected to various stressors that can affect their ability to survive and reproduce. When confronted with antibiotics, susceptible strains may be wiped out, while resistant strains can survive and continue to multiply.

The survival rate of a bacterial strain is influenced by factors such as genetic adaptability, fitness costs associated with resistance, and environmental pressures. In the context of tuberculosis, scientists initially speculated that the metabolic cost of resistance would impede survival. Nevertheless, the Stanford University study challenged this notion, showing that resistant strains have diverse mechanisms to compensate for any fitness cost and may even outcompete susceptible strains in the presence of antibiotics.

Bacterial survival rate is a critical factor in the spread of diseases, as it determines the potential for bacteria to persist in host populations and environments. High survival rates for resistant strains underline the urgency in combating antibiotic resistance, requiring a multifaceted approach including improved drug development, better diagnostic tools, and smarter usage of existing antibiotics.

SAT problem-solving strategies

In tackling questions like the one from the exercise, SAT problem-solving strategies can be very useful. These strategies help in systematically approaching and solving problems. Let's look at how these can apply to the exercise:

• Read and understand the problem: Similar to Step 1, the problem-solving strategy starts with a thorough understanding of what is being asked.
• Eliminate implausible answers: Much like evaluating options in Steps 2 to 5, one should eliminate choices that are clearly wrong or less relevant. This increases the odds of selecting the right answer.
• Look for direct evidence: This strategy involves selecting the option that most directly addresses the problem. In the exercise, Option D is chosen for precisely this reason.
• Test your answer: Check if your selected answer fits well within the context of the problem, similar to a review after Step 6.

Adopting these strategies not only simplifies the problem-solving process but also trains students to think critically and efficiently. Whether one is parsing complex text passages or solving quantitative problems, these strategies provide a robust framework for tackling SAT questions and can be valuable in academic and everyday decision-making.