2007-10-24 10:02:49 · 2 answers · asked by phvong 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
One theory is the overuse of antimicrobial drugs.
For example, a drug kill off 98% of a population (because people don't finish taking a full course of antibiotics) so only the resistant bacteria are left behind. Well, those bacteria multiply and have a resistance to that particular antimicrobial drug. Well, doctors were prescribing all types of antibiotics so the "strong" bacteria remained.
2007-10-24 10:15:24 · answer #1 · answered by Dave C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can pass antimicrobial resistance through plasmid transference (a way of transferring genetic material between bacteria)
Also with such a numerous amounts and their rapid multiplication the genetic variation in a population , natural selection can take place. non resistant ones die off and resistant ones multiply. This method only occurs when exposed to the antibiotic.
2007-10-24 17:33:59 · answer #2 · answered by Andy J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋