Question

a child has an ear infection and is treated with an appropriate antibiotic. a week after being cleared of infection by the doctor, the child develops another ear infection. which of the following is the best explanation for this scenario? some bacteria in the initial bacterial population were resistant to the antibiotic, survived the antibiotic treatment, and caused a second infection. some of the original bacterial population responded to the antibiotic by mutating to become resistant, and they caused a second ear infection. all of the bacteria in the original bacterial population developed a temporary resistance while the antibiotics were applied, and they caused a second infection

Explanation:

Antibiotic - resistant bacteria can pre - exist in a population. When antibiotics are used, non - resistant bacteria are killed, but resistant ones survive and can cause a new infection. Mutations in response to antibiotics are less likely to occur quickly enough to cause a new infection so soon after treatment. Temporary resistance is not a common or well - established concept in this context.

Answer:

Some bacteria in the initial bacterial population were resistant to the antibiotic, survived the antibiotic treatment, and caused a second infection.