Correct option is C
The correct answer is: (3) The DNA repair-deficient cells may produce more antibiotic-resistant cells but wild-type cells will also produce some antibiotic-resistant population.
Explanation:
In this scenario, the bacterial culture initiated from a DNA repair-deficient system is more likely to accumulate mutations, including those that could lead to antibiotic resistance. These mutations are typically detrimental, but since the cells have no way to repair them, they might generate more antibiotic-resistant variants. However, the wild-type cells also have the potential to produce some resistant populations due to natural mutations over time, albeit at a lower rate compared to the DNA repair-deficient cells.
Information Booster:
DNA repair-deficient cells are more prone to mutations due to the lack of repair mechanisms.
Mutations can lead to antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations.
Wild-type cells have a functioning DNA repair system, leading to fewer mutations overall.
Over several generations, DNA repair-deficient bacteria could accumulate more mutations, some of which could provide antibiotic resistance.
The antibiotic resistance in both populations could be due to mutations that confer survival advantages in the presence of antibiotics.
The presence of antibiotics will exert selective pressure on both populations, favoring the growth of resistant mutants.
Additional Information:
Option (1) More antibiotic-resistant cells will emerge from the DNA repair-deficient cultures and all wild-type cells will be sensitive: This is not entirely correct because while DNA repair-deficient cells may produce more resistant mutants, wild-type cells can still develop resistance over time, though at a slower rate.
Option (2) Wild-type cells will produce more antibiotic-resistant populations than the DNA repair-deficient cells: This is incorrect as DNA repair-deficient cells are more likely to accumulate mutations, including antibiotic resistance, at a faster rate.
Option (4) The DNA repair-deficient cells would be dead and therefore will not produce any resistant population of cells: This is incorrect because while DNA repair-deficient cells may accumulate harmful mutations, they are unlikely to all be dead, and some may survive and develop resistance.
