Scientists, puzzled about the development of penicillin-resistant bacteria in patients who had not been taking penici...

kens March 17, 2020

Question 17

I don't quite understand why the assumption that taking penicillin causes penicillin-resistance bacteria generates a problem for the scientists. It could be that I'm misinterpreting the answer.

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BenMingov March 17, 2020

Hi Kenken, thanks for the question.

This is truly an unusual question in that it is asking us for the role of an unstated assumption.

The entire passage is concerned with explaining how people who haven't taken penicillin can develop penicillin-resistant bacteria. The unstated assumption is that some people who do take penicillin do develop penicillin-resistant bacteria.

Because it is understandable that exposure to penicillin can create penicillin-resistant bacteria, it should be explained how not taking penicillin can lead to the same result; penicillin-resistant bacteria.

This is the problem that the scientists are tasked with figuring out, which they do through the explanation of mercury resistance. Perhaps, it is not a problem in the sense of an issue, but rather in the sense of a scientific problem that requires examination.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions.