Question

Which of the following are accurate statements regarding how bacteria create antibiotic resistance? Select all that apply.

a) Overusing antibiotics leads to resistance.
b) Bacteria can change their genetic makeup to resist antibiotics.
c) Antibiotics have no impact on bacteria.
d) Resistance to antibiotics cannot develop.

Answer 1

Overusing antibiotics leads to resistance as it results in the natural selection of resistant forms of bacteria.

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.