How do bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics?

When bacteria divide, random mutations in their DNA lead to differences in bacteria. Some of the bacteria will randomly develop genes that help them to survive a dose of anitbiotics (resistance). When a person is treated by antibiotics, all the bacteria without resistance will die but the bacteria with resistant genes will survive. The resistant bacteria can then reproduce very effectively due to decreased competition, creating a now drug resistant group of bacteria.

JC
Answered by Jonathan C. Biology tutor

3166 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between meiosis and mitosis?


What are the key differences between eukaryote and prokaryote cells?


A walker falls through thin ice into very cold water. What does the body do to stop the core body temperature from falling too quickly?


Give an example of a negative feedback mechanism in the human body.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning