Question

Bacteria and bacteriophages are undergoing an evolutionary battle. In particular, phages that infect Salmonella enterica can use outer membrane proteins, such as OmpF or TolC, for drug efflux or to attach to the bacterial surface. What would be the impact of a significant mutation of these phage proteins?

A. The efflux proteins would denature, but Salmonella would not become susceptible to drugs and phage infection.
B. The efflux proteins would denature, and Salmonella would become susceptible to drugs and phage infection
C. There would be no impact on the rate of phage infection for Salmonella.
D. The phage may not be able to bind to Salmonella's surface, blocking viral infection.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. The phage may not be able to bind to Salmonella's surface, blocking viral infection

Explanation:

Salmonella has outer membrane protiens like OmpF or TolC which help them for the drug efflux but they also provide the site of attachment for the salmonella infecting phages to infect the bacterial cells.

As the outer membrane protiens are mutated, the bacteriophages cannot bind to these protiens, thus cannot infect the bacterial cells hence option D. The phage may not be able to bind to Salmonella's surface, blocking viral infection is the right option.