Question

which of these statements is true about antibiotic resistance? choose one option: bacteria cannot become resistant to antibiotics. bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, but they cannot pass that resistance along. bacteria can easily pass along resistant genes, making antibiotic resistance a serious problem. bacteria do not acquire new genes quickly enough for antibiotic resistance to pose a very serious problem to public health.

Explanation:

To determine the correct statement about antibiotic resistance in bacteria:

• Option 1: Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics (e.g., through mutation or acquiring resistance genes), so "cannot" is incorrect.
• Option 2: Bacteria can become resistant, and they can transfer resistance genes (e.g., via plasmids), so "cannot pass that resistance along" is incorrect.
• Option 3: Bacteria can easily transfer resistance genes (horizontal gene transfer), leading to antibiotic resistance being a serious public health problem (e.g., superbugs). This matches scientific understanding.
• Option 4: Bacteria do acquire new resistance genes (e.g., from other bacteria or mutations), so "do not acquire new genes" is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Bacteria can easily pass along resistant genes, making antibiotic resistance a serious problem. (Note: Assuming the third option in the list is labeled C; adjust label based on original options' numbering. If original options are A - D, identify the correct one as per the explanation. From the text, the third option (with "Bacteria can easily pass along resistant genes, making antibiotic resistance a serious problem") is correct.)