Question

a population of bacteria is treated with an antibiotic. because of variation in the population of bacteria, what is a possible outcome of the treatment?
a. the population will increase rapidly
b. some of the bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotic and survive
c. all of the bacteria will be resistant to the antibiotic
d. the population will be better able to obtain a food source

Explanation:

When bacteria are treated with an antibiotic, due to genetic variation in the bacterial population, some bacteria may have mutations that make them resistant to the antibiotic. These resistant bacteria can survive the treatment. Option A is incorrect as antibiotics are meant to kill bacteria, not make their population increase rapidly. Option C is too extreme; not all bacteria will suddenly be resistant. Option D is not related to the effect of an antibiotic treatment on bacterial resistance.

Answer:

B. Some of the bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotic and survive.