Streptococcus mutans obtains energy by oxidizing sucrose. This bacterium is abundant in the mouths of Western European and North American children and is a prominent cause of cavities. The organism is virtually absent in children from East Africa, where tooth decay is rare. Propose a hypothesis to explain this observation. Outline the design of a study that would test your hypothesis.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key variables involved in the hypothesis: the presence of Streptococcus mutans, the consumption of sucrose, and the prevalence of tooth decay in different geographical regions.
2. Formulate a hypothesis based on the observation. For example, you might hypothesize that the lower prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in East African children is due to dietary differences, specifically lower consumption of sucrose, which in turn leads to less tooth decay.
3. Design a study to test the hypothesis. Consider a comparative study that examines the diets of children from Western Europe, North America, and East Africa, focusing on sucrose intake. Additionally, measure the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in the mouths of children from these regions.
4. Include control variables in your study design to isolate the effect of sucrose consumption on the presence of Streptococcus mutans and the incidence of tooth decay. Control variables might include age, general dental hygiene practices, and access to dental care.
5. Outline how you will collect and analyze the data. This might involve dental examinations to assess tooth decay, microbiological swabs to detect Streptococcus mutans, and dietary surveys to estimate sucrose consumption. Statistical analysis can then be used to determine if there is a significant correlation between sucrose consumption, the presence of Streptococcus mutans, and the incidence of tooth decay.