7. Two students are discussing natural selection in bacteria and how it can relate to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Bernadette states that when antibiotics are used, bacteria can respond by developing traits to help them defeat the antibiotic, which then may increase their fitness. Dominique states that there is already a variety of traits among the bacteria. Bacteria that have traits that allow them to survive the antibiotic and reproduce may have higher fitness. Which individual's reasoning do you agree with more and why?

Antibiotics are, initially, molecules naturally synthesized by microorganisms to fight against bacteria competing with their environment. This created a pressure of selection on the bacterial populations, leading to the appearance of resistant strains. In fact, when an antibiotic is used, only bacteria with defense systems against this molecule survive (and reproduce).

luisvaschetto luisvaschetto · Answer 2 · 2022-01-10T13:08:06+01:00

Dominique is right because natural selection act to 'select' those organisms showing resistance in the original population.

Natural selection can be defined as the differential survival and reproduction of the better adapted individuals to the environment in which they live.

Genetic variation, and therefore also underlying phenotypic variation, is a prerequisite for the existence of natural selection.

In this case, in the original population, there are antibiotic-resistant bacterial which will be naturally selected in a constrained environment.

In conclusion, Dominique is right because natural selection act to 'select' those organisms showing resistance in the original population.

Learn more about natural selection here:

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