Final answer:
Gram-negative bacteria are indeed more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria due to their outer membrane and efflux pumps, which provide an added layer of protection and actively remove antibiotics from the cell, contributing to multidrug resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that Gram-negative bacteria are generally more resistant to antibiotics than Gram-positive bacteria. This is due to several factors inherent in their structure. Gram-negative bacteria have an intricate cell wall structure with an outer membrane, which is not present in Gram-positive bacteria. This outer membrane contains lipopolysaccharides and acts as an extra barrier to substances, including antibiotics.
Furthermore, Gram-negative bacteria have efflux pumps that actively expel antibiotics and other chemicals from the cell, thereby contributing to multidrug resistance. The action of efflux pumps, combined with the protective function of the outer membrane, gives Gram-negative bacteria a higher resistance to many antibiotics. An example of Gram-negative bacteria is Salmonella, which is known to stain red with Gram stain due to its thinner peptidoglycan layer. This is a significant concern in healthcare, as it makes treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria more challenging.