OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam 2025 - Free GCSE Biology Practice Questions and Study Guide

Bacteria are widely used in various industries primarily because they reproduce rapidly and are easy to manipulate. Their fast reproduction rates allow for quick scaling of processes, making them ideal for production in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. For instance, in the fermentation industry, the ability of bacteria to multiply quickly means that products can be produced in larger quantities in a shorter amount of time, improving efficiency.

Additionally, bacteria can be genetically manipulated using techniques such as CRISPR or plasmid transformation, allowing scientists to alter their genetic makeup to enhance desirable traits. This flexibility enables the development of bacteria that can produce specific enzymes, biofuels, or even pharmaceuticals, making them invaluable tools in various fields.

In contrast, other options do not highlight the beneficial aspects that make bacteria suitable for industrial use. Complex reproductive cycles would complicate their use rather than facilitate it, harmful by-products would create additional challenges in production and require costly waste management, and needing high maintenance would detract from their practicality in industrial applications. Thus, the rapid reproduction and ease of manipulation position bacteria as a cornerstone in many industrial processes.