The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)can be considered to be an example of artificial selection because
A)humans purposefully raise MRSA in large fermenters in an attempt to make the bacteria ever-more resistant.
B)S. aureus is cultivated by humans to replenish the soil with nutrients.
C)humans synthesize methicillin and create environments in which bacteria frequently come into contact with methicillin.
D)humans are becoming resistant to bacteria by taking methicillin.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Artificial selection is the process where humans, through selective breeding or manipulation of the environment, encourage or discourage certain traits in a population of organisms. In the case of MRSA, humans create environments where the bacteria frequently come into contact with methicillin, an antibiotic. This creates selective pressure and leads to the evolution of MRSA strains that are resistant to methicillin. Humans do not purposefully raise MRSA in large fermenters or cultivate it to replenish soil with nutrients, and are not becoming resistant to bacteria by taking methicillin.

The Rise of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)can Be Considered to Be