Understanding Antibiotic Resistance

What is the primary mechanism that drives the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

• Genetic mutations and natural selection

• The bacteria deciding to resist antibiotics

• Stronger bacteria overpowering weaker ones

• The immune system adapting to bacteria

Natural selection ensures that all bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.

• True

• False

A bacterial population is exposed to an antibiotic over several weeks. The graph below shows the percentage of bacteria that survived each week. What does this trend suggest?

• Antibiotic resistance is decreasing over time

• Some bacteria have mutations that allow them to survive

• The antibiotic becomes stronger over time

• The bacteria are learning to resist the antibiotic

Explain how natural selection leads to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Which of the following is NOT a way antibiotic resistance can spread?

• Bacteria passing resistant genes through plasmids

• Overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture

• Viruses transmitting resistance genes to bacteria

• A person stopping antibiotic treatment too soon

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

• True

• False

A patient is prescribed an antibiotic for a bacterial infection but stops taking it after a few days when they start feeling better. What is the most likely consequence?

• All bacteria are eliminated, so the infection is cured

• The remaining bacteria, including resistant ones, survive and multiply

• The antibiotic becomes stronger and kills all bacteria

• The immune system becomes resistant to the antibiotic

Which of the following best describes a mutation in the context of antibiotic resistance?

• A purposeful change bacteria make to resist antibiotics

• A random genetic change that may provide an advantage

• A way bacteria communicate with each other

• A process controlled by antibiotics to select resistant strains

Suggest one strategy to slow down the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Why is antibiotic resistance considered a global health threat?

• It makes treating infections more difficult and costly

• It increases the effectiveness of antibiotics

• It helps bacteria evolve into stronger forms that benefit humans

• It only affects certain populations, so it’s not a major concern