What: These bugs have changed their physiology in a way that makes many antibiotics ineffective. One possible mechanism is a mutation on the site where the antibiotic normally binds with the cell wall. The mutation in the binding site is vaguely similar to a leopard that has no spots. Everyone knows that a leopard is a cat that has spots. If a leopard had a kitten with no spots, a typical observer would not identify it as a leopard. The proteins on surfaces of bacteria can mutate so that antibiotics can not recognize them; therefore they will not bind to the unrecognized protein and deactivate the bacteria. This leopard has lost its spots.

Writer: matt flynn

LCC:

Where: Reference Link Has Evaporated

Date: Oct 28 2013 9:33 PM