Question

Mutations are the ultimate source of variation in the population, but mutations are rare, random events-- and yet the bacteria in the video seemed to get the mutation they needed to survive and spread. Which of the following best describes how/why?

a. the necessary mutation occurs because the antibiotic is present

b. although the mutation that would allow for antibiotics are rare there are so many bacteria on the table that even rare event becomes likely.

c. the bacteria were acquiring mutation for antibiotic resistance from other species of bacteria through some sort of bacterial sex(transformation, transduction, conjugation.)

d. all of these are possible