The following is an Assertion/Reason question. These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason. Read both statements carefully and then select the correct answer from the options below [table]
Assertion | | Reason Bacteria can only acquire resistance to antibiotics via lethal mutational events | Because | Gene mutations can spontaneously circularize into antibiotic resistance plasmids
[/table]

Question

The following is an Assertion/Reason question. These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason. Read both statements carefully and then select the correct answer from the options below [table]
Assertion |  | Reason Bacteria can only acquire resistance to antibiotics via lethal mutational events | Because | Gene mutations can spontaneously circularize into antibiotic resistance plasmids
[/table]

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The prompt presents two statements labeled Assertion and Reason.

First, analyze the Assertion: 'Bacteria can only acquire resistance to antibiotics via lethal mutational events.' This is inaccurate because bacteria can gain antibiotic resistance through multiple pathways, not only via mutations, and not all mutations are lethal. In reality, resistance can arise from point mutations that alter drug targets or activate efflux pumps, as well as through horizontal gene transfer mechanisms such as transformation (uptake of free DNA), transduction (phage-mediated transfer), and conjugation (transfer of plasmids between cells). Calling mutations 'lethal' and claiming exclusivity to resistance ignores these other well-established routes and the fact that many mutations conferring resistance are not lethal to the bacterium.

Second, evaluate the Reason: 'Because Gene mutations can spontaneously circularize into antibiotic resistance plasmids.' This statement is scientifically dubious. Gene mutations are changes in the DNA sequence within the chromosome or plasmids; they do not spontaneously 'circularize into plasmids.' Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements that can be transferred between cells or acquired through uptake, but they do not form by mutation of existing chromosomal genes. The mechanism by which resistance spreads via plasmids involves horizontal transfer (conjugation, transformation, or transduction) and often preexists as plasmids, or can be acquired through uptake of free plasmid DNA, not mutation-induced circularization.

Now, assess each option carefully:
- Option a: 'Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion.' The Assertion is not true because bacteria have more than mutational lethal events to gain resistance, making this option incorrect.
- Option b: 'Both the Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion.' Since the Assertion itself is false or at least not exclusively accurate, this option is not valid.
- Option c: 'The Assertion is true but the Reason is false.' This would require the Assertion to be true, which it is not, so this option is not correct.
- Option d: 'The Assertion is false but the Reason is true.' The Reason is not true either, so this option is incorrect.
- Option e: 'Both the Assertion and Reason are false.' Given the analyses above, the Assertion is not an accurate single cause and the Reason is not correct in describing a plausible mechanism, so this option best fits the evidence among the choices.

In summary, all the individual statements contain inaccuracies or misrepresentations of how antibiotic resistance arises and how plasmids function, leading to the conclusion that both components are false in the context of standard microbiology understanding.

2025-PSB-MIC1IPE(SP-T3-FT) - INFECTIONS, PANDEMICS AND EPIDEMICS

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