Question

question 4 of 13
why is gene transfer among bacteria significant to human health?
a disease - causing gene can be transferred from a bacterial species into the human gene pool to be passed down through coming generations.
bacteria that participate in gene transfer are much more likely to invade the tissues of other species, including humans, and cause disease.
gene transfer among bacteria that occurs on or in the human body can result in harmful bacterial dna being taken up by human cells.
gene transfer among bacteria can lead to uncontrolled growth such that disinfecting surfaces in public spaces is difficult to impossible.
a gene carrying antibiotic resistance can be transferred among bacteria, decreasing the likelihood that the antibiotic is effective in treating certain diseases.

Explanation:

Gene transfer (e.g., conjugation, transformation, transduction) allows bacteria to share antibiotic resistance genes. This spread reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics against bacterial infections, a major threat to human health. Other options are incorrect: bacterial genes rarely enter the human gene pool (A), gene transfer itself doesn’t increase invasiveness (B), human cells don’t typically take up bacterial DNA (C), and gene transfer doesn’t directly cause uncontrolled growth making disinfection impossible (D).

Answer:

E. A gene carrying antibiotic resistance can be transferred among bacteria, decreasing the likelihood that the antibiotic is effective in treating certain diseases.