Microbiology, 2021

942 22 • Review Questions
Critical Thinking
49. Name each of the structures of the respiratory
tract shown, and state whether each has a
relatively large or small normal microbiota.
50. Cystic fibrosis causes, among other things,
excess mucus to be formed in the lungs. The
mucus is very dry and caked, unlike the moist,
more-fluid mucus of normal lungs. What effect
do you think that has on the lung’s defenses?
51. Why do you think smokers are more likely to
suffer from respiratory tract infections?
52. Why might β-lactam antibiotics be ineffective
against Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections?
53. Why is proper antibiotic therapy especially
important for patients with tuberculosis?
54. What role does the common cold have in the
rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in
the United States?
55. Why is it highly unlikely that influenza A virus
will ever be eradicated, like the smallpox virus?
56. Why are fungal pulmonary infections rarely
transmissible from person to person?
Figure 22.30
Cancer Institute)
(credit: modification of work by National
Access for free at openstax.org.