Explain how bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics.

Sometimes, a chance mutation in bacterial DNA allows certain bacteria to become resistant to certain types of antibiotic. When an antibiotic is given, only the non-resistant strains of bacteria will be killed, and the resistant strains will survive. The resistant strains then have no competition, so are able to reproduce and increase the size of the resistant population. For this reason, antibiotics are no longer used to treat non-serious infections in an attempt to slow down the rate of development of resistant strains.

Answered by Rachel A. Biology tutor

3828 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Can you name and describe the four levels of protein structure?


Most cases of scarlet fever occur in children. Adults have usually developed immunity to a toxin that the Streptococcus bacteria produce during infection. Explain how an adult develops immunity to the toxin.


How does a high cholesterol diet increase the risk of coronary heart disease?


Name four components of an animal cell and describe their functions


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences