Question

question 23 1 pts over the past several decades, natural selection has caused populations of staphylococcus aureus (an infectious wound bacterium) to evolve resistance to most antibiotics. if antibiotic use were stopped, what would you predict would happen to these s. aureus populations? they will go extinct without the antibiotic. the frequency of resistant forms will definitely increase in these populations. the populations will begin colonizing new environments. the frequency of nonresistant forms will increase in these populations.

Explanation:

When antibiotics are used, resistant Staphylococcus aureus have a survival - advantage. Without antibiotics, the selective pressure for resistance is removed. Non - resistant forms may have other advantages such as lower energy costs for maintaining resistance mechanisms, so their frequency is likely to increase.

Answer:

The frequency of nonresistant forms will increase in these populations.