Question

The percentage of bacteria showing antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other species of disease-causing bacteria has risen considerably since antibiotics were introduced. What has caused this increase?

A) Overuse of antiseptics
B) Underuse of antibiotics
C) Evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains
D) Decreased hygiene practices

Answer 1

The overuse and incorrect use of antibiotics has resulted in the natural selection of resistant forms of bacteria, leading to an increase in antibiotic resistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the main reasons for resistant bacteria is the overuse and incorrect use of antibiotics, such as not completing a full course of prescribed antibiotics. The incorrect use of an antibiotic results in the natural selection of resistant forms of bacteria. The antibiotic kills most of the infecting bacteria, and therefore only the resistant forms remain. These resistant forms reproduce, resulting in an increase in the proportion of resistant forms over non-resistant ones.