When bacteria are cultured on ampicillin, what is the expected outcome for those that do not take up the plasmid?

When bacteria are cultured on ampicillin, those that do not take up the plasmid will not possess the gene that provides resistance to the antibiotic. As a result, when these bacteria are exposed to ampicillin, the antibiotic disrupts their cellular processes, leading to cell lysis and death. This outcome is expected because ampicillin specifically targets the bacterial cell wall synthesis, which is crucial for bacterial survival. Without the plasmid to confer resistance, these bacteria are unable to survive in an environment containing ampicillin. The presence of the antibiotic effectively selects against the non-resistant bacteria, ensuring that only those with the plasmid can thrive.