Certain disease-causing bacteria reproduce about every 20 minutes. Some strains of such bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics that previously inhibited their growth. Over which period of time do such bacteria most likely become resistant to an antibiotic?

Question

Certain disease-causing bacteria reproduce about every 20 minutes. Some strains of such bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics that previously inhibited their growth. Over which period of time do such bacteria most likely become resistant to an antibiotic?

a
minutes
b
days
c
years
d
seconds

Answer 1

c) years

It would take multiple generations of bacteria over a period of time to develop resistance to an antibiotic. This process typically occurs over the course of several years.