James was sick, went to the doctor, and was diagnosed with a bacterial throat infection. His infection was treated with antibiotics. In a few days, James felt much better, but some resistant bacteria survived and, overnight, James was sick again. This time, he had to take a much stronger antibiotic. The resistant bacterial cells illustrate what characteristic of life? A) All living things respond to stimuli. B) All living things maintain homeostasis. C) All living things adapt to changes in their environment. D) All living things contain genetic material and reproduce.

Bacteria develop resistance against some antibiotics to increase the chances of their survival. It is because all organisms show adaptations with respect to changes in their surroundings to increase their survival.

Antibiotic resistant provides higher chances of survival to the bacteria as resistant bacteria have higher survival rate than bacteria which are sensitive for antibiotics.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C).