Question

3.a An antibiotic is added to a large population of bacteria. Explain why not all bacteria die?

b. If the antibiotic remains at constant levels, eventually there will be a large population of bacteria again. Explain why?

Answer 1

Answer: Antibiotic Resistant Mutation

Explanation: Not all of the bacteria die because there are individuals in the population that have an antibiotic resistant mutation, which causes them to be adapted to dealing with the antibiotic. There will be a large population of bacteria again because the ones with the mutation survive, reproduce, and pass the antibiotic resistance trait on.