Which of the following best explains why bacteria can infect a person very quickly?

• A. Bacteria require host cells to replicate their genetic material.
• B. Bacteria are multicellular organisms with complex life cycles.
• C. Bacteria are unable to survive outside of the human body.
• D. Bacteria reproduce rapidly through binary fission.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of bacterial reproduction: Bacteria reproduce asexually through a process called binary fission, where one bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
2. Recognize that binary fission allows for exponential growth, meaning the number of bacteria can double in a short period, leading to rapid population increase.
3. Contrast this with other organisms that may require more complex life cycles or host cells to replicate, which slows down their reproduction rate.
4. Note that bacteria are unicellular, not multicellular, so their reproduction is simpler and faster compared to multicellular organisms.
5. Conclude that the rapid reproduction through binary fission is the key reason bacteria can infect a person very quickly, as their numbers increase swiftly to establish infection.