What is antibiotic resistance?
Q: What is antibiotic resistance?
A: Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria develop the ability to resist the effects of antibiotics over time.
Q: Why is antibiotic resistance a serious problem?
A: Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem because it limits the effectiveness of antibiotics, making it more difficult to treat bacterial infections.
Q: Is antibiotic resistance an example of evolution in action?
A: Yes, antibiotic resistance is one of the best examples of evolution in action because bacteria are adapting and changing in response to their environment.
Q: How does antibiotic resistance spread?
A: Antibiotic resistance spreads quickly from one bacterium to another, often through the exchange of genetic material.
Q: Has a new class of antibiotics been discovered recently?
A: No, there has not been a new class of antibiotics discovered since the 1980s, until recently when some new antibiotics have been developed.
Q: How long does it take for a new antibiotic to become available for general use?
A: There is a lag time of about eight years between the discovery of a new antibiotic and its possible availability for general use.
Q: Is the process of developing new antibiotics costly?
A: Yes, the process of developing new antibiotics is extremely costly.
