Define "antibiotic resistance."

Antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria to survive and grow in the presence of antibiotics that would usually inhibit their growth or kill them. This resistance can arise through various mechanisms, such as genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, or the acquisition of resistance genes from other microorganisms. Consequently, when bacteria develop resistance, standard treatments become less effective or even ineffective, leading to persistent infections and increased risk of spread.

The other options relate to different biological processes or capabilities of bacteria but do not accurately describe antibiotic resistance. Rapid replication is a characteristic of bacterial growth that does not imply any interaction with antibiotics. The formation of spores refers to a survival strategy that certain bacteria employ under adverse conditions, while the ability to absorb nutrients pertains to a bacterium's metabolic processes rather than its interaction with antibiotics. Thus, the chosen option encapsulates the core concept of antibiotic resistance effectively.