Final answer:
Antimicrobial resistance occurs through spontaneous mutation or gene acquisition, with resistant strains evolving due to genetic changes and the ease of gene transfer among microbes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that antimicrobial resistance can be due to spontaneous mutation or gene acquisition is true. Bacteria can develop resistance through chromosomal mutations affecting drug target structures, a process which can occur spontaneously. These genetic changes can confer an evolutionary advantage and result in resistant strains of bacteria. Moreover, resistance genes often exist on mobile genetic elements like plasmids and transposons, enabling easy transfer between microbes via horizontal gene transfer. This facilitates the spread of resistance among bacterial populations.