How do bacteria change and adapt?

Bacteria can undergo an exchange of genetic material where a tube is formed between two bacteria. Genetic material passes between the two bacteria creating two new forms of the related bacteria. This allows genetic variation that may help the bacteria to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Bacteria can absorb genetic material from dead bacteria in the environment. In a classic experiment mice were exposed to bacteria that were harmless normally but were also in the presence of dead bacteria that were deadly when alive. The mice died. When the mice were exposed only to the harmless bacteria or the dead bacteria that were deadly the mice lived. This experiment not only showed that DNA was the carrier of genetic material but also illustrated a means of genetic variation in bacteria.

Scientist found that bacteria developed resistance to antibiotic resistance by losing genetic information. Page 260 The Beak of the Finch Johathan Weiner. Bacteria can adapt and change by losing key genetic material. This loss of genetic material is a change that allows the bacteria to adapt to new hostile environments.