Question 43

[akbatten]

How do you determine the correct answer, because there seems to be contradicting information in the passage? I could not decide between B and C so I just guessed exponential growth because the passage states there may be "uncontrollable growth." However, it also states that "normally, it's multiplication is suppressed by other normal flora" etc, suggesting a carrying capacity or limit to the growth.

[admin]

The difference is the following: "normally" there is a limit to growth. But the question asks about what would happen in times of "infection." Infection is indeed uncontrollable growth of a parasite which requires some form of treatment as described in P2.

[akbatten]

Would it not eventually reach a limit? It seems to me that a limit of space or nutrients would create a carrying capacity. Or am I just looking too far down the line?

[admin]

Eventually, yes, all exponential growth will end. The infecting parasite (ie fungus) will either be destroyed by the human immune system, or by some agent (ie antifungal) or the infection will kill the host at which point the exponential growth will stop. None of that changes the following: infection leads to growth which will at least begin in an exponential manner. There is only one answer choice that provides a graph that at least begins with exponential growth.

[admin]

bump