How do populations of bacteria develop antibiotic resistance?

There is VARIATION amongst the population due to naturally occuring MUTATION during DNA replication . The antibiotics act as a SELECTION PRESSURE, so only the bacteria with the allele for antibiotic resistance SURVIVE and the others die. The surviving bacteria go on to REPRODUCE and pass on the resistance allele to the next generation. The ALLELE FREQUENCY increases amongst the population of bacteria and so the population becomes more resistant.

Answered by Leila G. Biology tutor

2136 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do some mutations to DNA structure not result in a change of the produced polypeptide?


What are the key characteristics of cancer cells and how do they arise?


What does it mean if genes are linked?


What is the Bohr effect and how does it affect oxygen unloading?


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 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences