Question

In the past, a specific antibiotic was effective in killing a certain species of bacteria. Now, most members of this bacterial species are resistant to this antibiotic.

Explain how this species of bacteria has become resistant. In your answer be sure to include the concepts of overproduction, variation, natural selection and adaptation to the environment.

Simple.

Answer 1

Natural selection is a process where the species thrive against the odds the nature present. The bacterias which were vulnerable to the antibiotics at first development some changes inside them to survive that onslaught of antibiotics for them it is an environmental pressure against them. So they survive against the antibiotics to pass on their traits to the next generation which will create a resistant species of bacteria. So bacterias can bes considered as one of the best examples of natural selection. Now variance, bacteria survive this onslaught by bringing changes in them now this change can be due to variance of genetic material. Genetic material which were vulnerable briny on mutation to become resistant to these antibiotics. The bacteria which didn't bring any changes will not survive and adapt to antibiotics environment. Hence the bacteria which adapted to the environment and survived by bringing out variance in genetic material became resistant to antibiotics.

Hope this helps, Good luck!!!