Final answer:
The bacterium would have a higher level of antibiotic resistance compared to other variations in the population due to genetic traits such as enhanced mechanisms for neutralizing antibiotics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The antibiotic-resistant bacterium that is even more resistant to antibiotics than any of the variations present in the population to start with would have a higher level of resistance due to genetic variation. This means that it would have mutations or genetic traits that allow it to tolerate antibiotics more effectively. For example, it may have enhanced mechanisms for pumping out or neutralizing antibiotics, preventing them from harming the bacterium.