When bacteria are exposed to antibiotic medications, they can develop resistance so that the drugs no longer harm them. For this to occur, the bacteria must experience ____ followed by _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, some may have a beneficial mutation that allows them to survive and reproduce in the presence of the drug, while others without the mutation will die. These surviving bacteria will then undergo natural selection, as they pass on their resistant traits to their offspring. Eventually, a strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria will emerge.

When Bacteria Are Exposed to Antibiotic Medications, They Can Develop