Consider the following statements :
- 1.Biofilms can form on medical implants within human tissues.
- 2.Biofilms can form on food and food processing surfaces.
- 3.Biofilms can exhibit antibiotic resistance.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
Show answer
Answer: D. Biofilms are layers of microbes stuck together in a slimy matrix. Statement 1 is correct: they form on implants such as catheters and artificial joints. Statement 2 is correct: they form on food and food-processing surfaces. Statement 3 is correct: the matrix protects microbes, so biofilms resist antibiotics. So 1, 2 and 3.
Watch for: Students doubt that biofilms grow inside the body, but implant infections are a major medical problem for this reason.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because statement 3 is also correct.
- B. Wrong because statement 1 is also correct.
- C. Wrong because statement 2 is also correct.
Source to check: US National Institutes of Health research summaries on biofilms; WHO notes on antimicrobial resistance
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.