Researchers discovered that the strain of M . tuberculosis taken from a dead pat

Question

Researchers discovered that the strain of M. tuberculosis taken from a dead patient has a point mutation in the rpoBgene that codes for part of the RNA polymerase enzyme. The mutant RNA polymerase does not function as well as the wild type form. An antiobiotic (rifampin) commonly used to treat tuberculosis (TB) binds to and inhibits RNA polymerase but does not affect the mutant RNA polymerase. A researcher mixes M. tuberculosis isolated from the patient a year before his death from TB (no rpoB mutation) with M. tuberculosis isolated from the patient after he dies (with rpoB mutation). The mixture of M. tuberculosis is cultured with standard nutrient media or with standard nutrient media containing rifampin. After many cell generations, the researcher finds that:

Question 4 options:

Very few M. tuberculosis in the standard nutrient cultures carry the rpoB gene mutation, but almost all of theM. tuberculosis in the cultures with rifampin carry the rpoB mutation.

Almost all of the M. tuberculosis in both types of cultures carry the rpoB mutation.

Very few M. tuberculosis in either of the cultures carry the rpoB gene mutation.

Almost all M. tuberculosis in the standard nutrient cultures carry the rpoB gene mutation, but very few of theM. tuberculosis in the cultures with rifampin carry the rpoB mutation.

A mix of both M. tuberculosis strains thrive in the standard cell cultures, but no living bacteria can be found in the cultures that contain rifampin

a)

Very few M. tuberculosis in the standard nutrient cultures carry the rpoB gene mutation, but almost all of theM. tuberculosis in the cultures with rifampin carry the rpoB mutation.

b)

Almost all of the M. tuberculosis in both types of cultures carry the rpoB mutation.

c)

Very few M. tuberculosis in either of the cultures carry the rpoB gene mutation.

d)

Almost all M. tuberculosis in the standard nutrient cultures carry the rpoB gene mutation, but very few of theM. tuberculosis in the cultures with rifampin carry the rpoB mutation.

e)

A mix of both M. tuberculosis strains thrive in the standard cell cultures, but no living bacteria can be found in the cultures that contain rifampin

Explanation / Answer

very few M. tuberculosis in the standard nutrient cell cultures carry the rpoB gene mutation, but almost all of the M. tuberculosis in the cell cultures with rifampin carry the rpoB mutation

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