What are the primary mechanisms that contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria?
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria occurs primarily due to genetic changes that either alter the target of the antibiotic, decrease the uptake of the antibiotic, increase the expulsion of the antibiotic from the cell, or enable the production of enzymes that inactivate the antibiotic. These changes can occur through mutation or through acquiring resistance genes from other bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both healthcare and agriculture settings have contributed significantly to the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.