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Q98 (IAS/2019) Science & Technology › Biotechnology & Health › Microbiology and antimicrobials Official Key

Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? 1. Genetic predisposition of some people 2. Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics to cure diseases 3. Using antibiotics in livestock farming 4. Multiple chronic diseases in some people Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is option B (2 and 3 only) because these are the established causes of antimicrobial resistance in microbial pathogens.

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to a decline in their effectiveness, resulting in antibiotic resistance where bacteria survive and multiply despite treatment with antibiotics.[1] To tackle antibiotic resistance, antibiotics must be used wisely—only when prescribed by a doctor, in the correct dose, and for the right duration.[2] This directly supports statement 2 about incorrect doses being a cause of resistance.

High usage or inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, raising important questions about possible routes of transmission between animals, humans, and the environment.[3] This confirms statement 3 about livestock farming's role in resistance development.

Statement 1 (genetic predisposition) is incorrect because resistance develops in the **microbes themselves** through selection pressure from antibiotic exposure, not due to human genetic factors. Statement 4 (multiple chronic diseases) is also incorrect as it confuses patient health status with the mechanisms by which bacteria develop resistance. The resistance phenomenon occurs at the microbial level through evolutionary adaptation to antibiotic pressure, not through patient characteristics.

Sources
  1. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Discovery of the first antibiotic, Penicillin > p. 40
  2. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Activity 3.7: Let us infer > p. 41
  3. [3] https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2019/07/evaluating-the-economic-benefits-and-costs-of-antimicrobial-use-in-food-producing-animals_d64e0a0c/f859f644-en.pdf
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Q. Which of the following are the reasons for the occurrence of multi-drug resistance in microbial pathogens in India? 1. Genetic predisposi…
At a glance
Origin: Mixed / unclear origin Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 0/10
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This is a classic 'Science Logic' question where current affairs (AMR crisis) meets basic biology. The key lies in distinguishing the biological cause (antibiotic exposure) from associated factors (human genetics/diseases). It rewards clarity on the definition of resistance: it is the microbe that evolves, not the human.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is genetic predisposition of some people a documented cause of multidrug resistance in microbial pathogens in India?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Activity 3.7: Let us infer > p. 41
Strength: 5/5
“• z Study the infographic given in Fig. 3.5b. How do you think the antibiotic resistance has been developed in bacterial pathogens? What precautions may be taken to reduce antibiotic resistance?• z To tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance, we must use antibiotics wisely—only when prescribed by a doctor, in the correct dose, and for the right duration. Avoiding unnecessary use helps prevent the rise of resistant bacteria and keeps antibiotics effective for future generations. Traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani have been used in India for many years to manage common health problems. They use natural substances like herbs, oils,”
Why relevant

Describes how antibiotic resistance develops and emphasises human use patterns (wrong dose/duration) as drivers of resistance.

How to extend

A student could combine this rule with knowledge of host genetics to ask whether genetic factors altering drug metabolism or immune response might indirectly promote selection of resistant microbes in certain populations.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 5: Environmental Pollution > b) Vegetation > p. 104
Strength: 3/5
“Premature senescence (aging) of older needles in conifers • r Increase in susceptibility to damage by secondary root and foliar pathogens • r Death of herbaceous vegetation beneath affected trees • r Prodigious production of lichens on affected trees. • r Death of affected trees. • (c) Microorganisms. r pH determines the proliferation of any microbial species in a particular environment and the rate at which it can produce. • The optimum pH of most bacteria and protozoa is near neutrality; most fungi prefer an acidic environment, most blue-green bacteria prefer an alkaline environment. • So after a long run of acid rain, microbial species in the soil and water shift from bacteria-bound to fungibound and cause an imbalance in the microflora. • This causes a delay in the decomposition of soil organic material, and an increase in fungal disease in aquatic life and forests. • (d) wildlife.”
Why relevant

Explains that environmental conditions (e.g., pH) change microbial community composition and proliferation rates.

How to extend

One could extend this to consider whether regional environmental differences interacting with human genetics create niches where resistant strains are more likely to emerge.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART I, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones > FROM G.F. DALES, "The Mythical Massacre at Mohenjodaro", Expediton, 1964. > p. 18
Strength: 3/5
“The analysis of the data indicates that the Harappans are the indigenous people of this region. The genetic roots of the Harappans go back to 10,000 BCE. The DNA of the Harappans has continued till today and a majority of the South Asian population appears to be their descendents. Due to trade and cultural contacts of the Harappans with distant regions there is a mixture of genes in small quantity. The continuity without any break in genetic history as well as cultural history rules out large scale immigration of the so-called Aryans. This research also indicates that the people coming from bordering areas and distant regions were absorbed in the Indian society.”
Why relevant

States long-term genetic continuity of populations in South Asia and gene-mixing from migration.

How to extend

A student might use this to justify investigating population genetic variation in India (e.g., genes affecting immunity or drug metabolism) as possible indirect contributors to differential selection pressure for resistant pathogens.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > Impact of Migration on Migrants > p. 110
Strength: 2/5
“Sometimes the physical contact of the people belonging to different racial and ethnic groups may become the cause of diseases like AIDS. It has been found that there occurs change in the biological characteristics of the people, because of the amalgamation of blood of the in-migrants and the hosts.”
Why relevant

Notes that biological characteristics can change due to amalgamation of blood between migrants and hosts (i.e., genetic mixing can affect biology).

How to extend

This suggests looking for population-level genetic differences (from migration/mixing) that could influence susceptibility or treatment response and thereby affect resistance emergence.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 2g.1.ro. Pesticide In Human Blood > p. 415
Strength: 2/5
“Pesticides are Lommonly used in India but this comes at great cost to human health. It found that 5 different pesticides in the blood samples tested from four villages in Punjab.”
Why relevant

Reports human chemical exposures (pesticides present in blood), indicating population exposures that affect human health.

How to extend

A student could consider whether widespread exposures that alter host physiology or microbiomes might interact with genetic predispositions to influence emergence of resistant microbes.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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