Question

Two students are discussing natural selection in bacteria and how it can relate to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Bernadette states that when antibiotics are used, bacteria can respond by developing traits to help them defeat the antibiotic, which then may increase their fitness. Dominique states that there is already a variety of traits among the bacteria. Bacteria that already have traits that allow them to survive the antibiotic will reproduce at a faster rate. Is either student correct? Are both incorrect? Respond to both students' claims using plenty of evidence.

Answer 1

Answer:

The statement made by Dominique is correct.

Explanation:

When an antibiotic is given to a bacterial population, there will be some bacteria which will be resistant to the antibiotic and there will be others which will not be resistant to the antibiotic.

Those which are not resistant will die.

On the other hand, the resistant bacteria will be able to divide rapidly and pass on their characteristics to the offspring.

This is a type of natural selection in which organisms which are better able to survive in the environment can reproduce and pass their characteristics to their children.

The claim made by Bernadette is not correct because individual organisms cannot adapt to such changes. A change will occur in the population.