What process is implicated in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

Natural selection is the process that plays a significant role in the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This process occurs when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, creating a selective pressure. Most bacteria may be susceptible to the antibiotic and die off, but some may carry genetic mutations or acquire resistance genes that allow them to survive. These resistant bacteria then reproduce, passing on their resistance traits to their offspring. Over time, this leads to a population of bacteria that are more fit for survival in the presence of antibiotics, exemplifying natural selection in action.

In contrast, the other choices do not directly relate to the process of antibiotic resistance. Artificial selection refers to the intentional breeding of organisms by humans for desired traits, which is not relevant in the context of bacterial adaptation to antibiotics. Cloning involves creating genetically identical copies of an organism, which does not pertain to how bacteria adapt through natural processes. Photosynthesis is a process by which plants and some microorganisms convert light energy into chemical energy; it has no connection to bacterial resistance against antibiotics. Thus, natural selection is the key process responsible for the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.