What characteristic of bacteria allows the rapid development of antibiotic-resistant strains?

The rapid reproduction rate of bacteria is a crucial factor that contributes to the swift development of antibiotic-resistant strains. When bacteria reproduce, they can divide every 20 minutes under ideal conditions, leading to a massive increase in their population. This rapid growth provides ample opportunities for mutations to occur during DNA replication. Some of these mutations may confer resistance to antibiotics, giving those particular bacteria a survival advantage when exposed to these drugs.

As a result, when antibiotics are introduced to eliminate bacterial infections, the bacteria that happen to have or acquire mutations that confer resistance are more likely to survive and proliferate. Over time, these resistant strains can become dominant in the population, making infections increasingly difficult to treat. This process is further accelerated when antibiotics are used improperly or excessively, as it creates an environment where only the resistant bacteria thrive. Therefore, the characteristic of rapid reproduction is a key element in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.