How can Enterobacteriaceae develop antibiotic resistance?

How can Enterobacteriaceae develop antibiotic resistance?

• A. By forming endospores
• B. Through plasmid transfer and mutations
• C. Only through environmental exposure
• D. By direct transmission from host to host

Answer: (B)

The development of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae primarily occurs through plasmid transfer and mutations. Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can carry genes, including those responsible for antibiotic resistance. These plasmids can be transferred between bacteria, even across different species, through a process called horizontal gene transfer. This capability allows for rapid sharing of resistance traits, facilitating the spread of resistance among bacterial populations. Mutations also play a significant role in the development of resistance. When bacteria replicate, errors in DNA copying can occur. If a mutation confers resistance to an antibiotic, the surviving bacteria will proliferate under selective pressure (when exposed to the antibiotic), furthering the spread of that resistance trait within the population. While environmental exposure can contribute to resistance development, it is not the sole mechanism, and direct transmission is more about spreading existing resistant strains rather than creating new resistance. Therefore, the combination of plasmid transfer and mutations effectively explains how Enterobacteriaceae can develop and spread antibiotic resistance.

The development of antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae primarily occurs through plasmid transfer and mutations. Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can carry genes, including those responsible for antibiotic resistance. These plasmids can be transferred between bacteria, even across different species, through a process called horizontal gene transfer. This capability allows for rapid sharing of resistance traits, facilitating the spread of resistance among bacterial populations.

Mutations also play a significant role in the development of resistance. When bacteria replicate, errors in DNA copying can occur. If a mutation confers resistance to an antibiotic, the surviving bacteria will proliferate under selective pressure (when exposed to the antibiotic), furthering the spread of that resistance trait within the population.

While environmental exposure can contribute to resistance development, it is not the sole mechanism, and direct transmission is more about spreading existing resistant strains rather than creating new resistance. Therefore, the combination of plasmid transfer and mutations effectively explains how Enterobacteriaceae can develop and spread antibiotic resistance.