JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3el101
Bacterial cultures start with 1.0×106 cells per mL. Drug W or drug X is added at 0 h and washed out at 6 h. With W the count is 1.1×106 at 6 h and 9.0×106 at 12 h. With X the count is 2.0×102 at 6 h and 3.0×102 at 12 h. Which conclusion is correct?
ABoth W and X are bactericidal
BW is bactericidal and X is bacteriostatic
CBoth W and X are bacteriostatic
DW is bacteriostatic (like chloramphenicol) and X is bactericidal (like an aminoglycoside)
Answer: D
With W the count stays almost constant while the drug is present and regrowth begins after removal, so W only inhibits growth (bacteriostatic). With X the cells are killed and do not recover, so X is bactericidal.