What term describes the collection of genes in a bacterium that can confer antibiotic resistance?

The term that describes the collection of genes in a bacterium that can confer antibiotic resistance is "resistance plasmid." Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that exist independently of the chromosomal DNA in bacteria. Resistance plasmids specifically carry genes that provide the bacteria with the ability to resist the effects of certain antibiotics. These genes can encode for various mechanisms of resistance, such as the production of proteins that break down antibiotics or efflux pumps that expel the antibiotic from the bacterial cell.

In contrast, the term "gene pool" refers to the total collection of genes within a population, not specifically related to antibiotic resistance in a single bacterium. "Chromosomal DNA" pertains to the main DNA molecule that contains essential genes required for survival and replication but does not specifically denote the genes responsible for antibiotic resistance. "Plasmid DNA" is a broader term that includes any plasmid, and while it can contain resistance genes, the specificity of the resistance factor is best described as "resistance plasmid." Thus, the focus is on the particular role of these plasmids in conferring resistance to antibiotics.