Mutations are one way for bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. Mutations can provide resistance to antibiotics If a mutation gives the bacterium an advantage in a particular environment, this bacterium will grow better than its neighbors and can increase in numbers – it is selected for.
Here, Darwin’s theory of natural selection comes in. While some mutations are harmful to the bacteria, others can provide an advantage given the right circumstances. Mutations can also form due to external factors like radiation or harmful chemicals. These mutations are random and can be located anywhere in the DNA.
Every time the bacterium goes through this process there is a chance (or risk, depending on the end result) that errors occur so-called mutations. Before the bacterium can divide, it needs to make two identical copies of the DNA in its chromosome one for each cell. When bacteria multiply, one cell divides into two cells. Mutationsīacteria grow and multiply fast and can reach large numbers. Resistant bacteria survive antibiotic treatment and can increase in numbers by natural selection. Mutations can result in antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
0 kommentar(er)
