This paper consists of an evolution of antibiotics. It explains how I think the further evolution of antibiotic resistance can or cannot be prevented. It gives the definition of what antibiotic resistance is and if there is a problem with this. It then gives some technical background and some recommendations on how to prevent or reduce the problem.Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance can also be introduced artificially into a microorganism through transformation protocols. Antibiotic resistance is a consequence of evolution by the way of natural selection. This is through random mutation but it can also be engineered by applying an evolutionary stress on a populati ...view middle of the document...
Antibiotic resistance can lurk undetected in many harmless organisms long before it is really detected. Bacteria learn from our mistakes because once the resistance develops all of the offsprings of a bacteria starts to get it. Once the resistance strain is made everybody who is infected with bacteria will have a resistance problem.At anytime bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic they are under selective pressure that allows only resistance forms to survive and reproduce. A key problem is the routine feeding of antibiotics to farm animals.To give some recommendations on how to prevent or reduce the problems are (provided by WebMD) washing your hands properly can reduce the chances of getting infected or spreading infection. Washing and/or avoiding raw foods such as fruits, vegetables, raw eggs, and undercooked meats. High activities such as unprotected sex, usage of equipment in a public gymnasium, and on a public playground, and many other things to this aspect. Avoiding the use of antibiotics in some situations can also reduce the chances of infection by antibiotic resistance bacterias. Vaccines do not suffer the problem of resistance because a vaccine enhances the bodys normal defenses.To sum up everything antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. It is a specific type of drug resistance. Antibiotic resistance evolves naturally by the way of natural selection through random mutation but it could also be engineered by applying an evolutionary stress on a population. Bacteria can transfer the genetic information in a horizontal fashion by plasmid exchange.References:www.WebMD.comAntibiotic Resistance Microsoft Online Encyclopedia http://encarta.msn.com
