Some animals that are scavengers can eat bacteria-laden meat that would harm humans. Which of the following best explains why th
ese bacteria would harm a human, but not a scavenger? A) The scavenger's immune system is strong enough to fight off bacterial infections before it produces toxins and damages tissues.
B) Only human cells have the complementary receptors that bind to surface molecules found on the bacteria.
C) Antibodies found in the blood of the scavenger destroy the bacteria as soon as they enter the bloodstream.
D) The pH and temperature environment in the human encourages more bacterial growth and colonization.
A) The scavenger's immune system is strong enough to fight off bacterial infections before it produces toxins and damages tissues.
Explanation:
Animals that feed on meat might have the immune system adapted to it and strong enough to prevent bacterial infections before it produces toxins and damages tissues. Some of these animals (beetles) spray the rotting meat with an antimicrobial substance produced by their own organism, before starting to eat. Other animals, however, consume rotten meat and attack bacteria with stomach acid that is ten times more acidic than our stomach acid, which can eliminate a large part of bacteria, before they cause problems. However, some bacteria can survive and cause serious problems if we eat these animals.
