Question

Is antibiotic resistance permanent?

Answer 1

Antibiotic:

1. Antibiotics are chemical compounds produced by bacteria that can kill other (disease-causing) bacteria or slow their growth.
2. They are a type of antimicrobial that is made to fight bacterial infections inside (or inside) the body.
3. Antibiotics attack bacteria in two primary ways, by blocking the process that makes up the cell wall of bacteria, they either slow down or stop them from growing.
4. Antibiotics are only effective against specific bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance:

1. Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria and fungi develop the ability to destroy the antibiotics designed to kill them.
2. Antibiotic resistance is caused by changes or mutations in the DNA of bacteria, or by horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from other bacteria.
3. This ensures that when an antibiotic is used, all bacteria that have not mutated are destroyed, while antibiotic-resistant bacteria are left alone.
4. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria will continue to divide and spread, resulting in the emergence of more bacteria that are immune to antibiotics.
5. Antibiotic resistance makes it impossible to cure or control the infection.
6. Antibiotic resistance develops naturally in humans, but overuse of antibiotics can hasten the process.