Final Answer:
Lateral gene transfer, involving plasmids, can introduce antibiotic resistance genes to bacterial cells, enhancing their ability to withstand antibiotic treatments and contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance. The answer is 1) The cells become more resistant to antibiotics.
Step-by-step explanation:
When bacterial cells undergo lateral gene transfer by switching plasmids, the effects on antibiotic resistance depend on the specific genes carried by the transferred plasmids. Generally, the outcome is often an alteration in antibiotic resistance profiles. If the acquired plasmid harbors antibiotic resistance genes, the cells may become more resistant to antibiotics. These genes might encode enzymes that inactivate antibiotics or efflux pumps that expel antibiotics from the cell.
Conversely, if the plasmid lacks antibiotic resistance genes or carries genes that sensitize the bacteria to antibiotics, the cells may become less resistant. Lateral gene transfer allows for the rapid dissemination of adaptive traits among bacterial populations, contributing to the evolution of antibiotic resistance.
Genetic mutation (Option 3) and increased susceptibility to viruses (Option 4) are not direct consequences of lateral gene transfer but can occur independently through other mechanisms, such as spontaneous mutations or viral infections. The primary impact of lateral gene transfer, particularly involving plasmids, often revolves around altering the bacterial cell's genetic repertoire and adaptive traits.