Acquired antibiotic resistance can include all of the following except:
a. altering an enzyme that a given drug may target.
b. making endospores.
c. altering a point of entry for a drug.
d. making enzymes that inactivate a drug.
e. increasing the number of efflux pumps that are active in a cell.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of acquired antibiotic resistance, which refers to the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive.
2. Review each option to determine if it is a mechanism of acquired antibiotic resistance.
3. Option a: Consider how altering an enzyme that a drug targets can prevent the drug from binding effectively, thus conferring resistance.
4. Option b: Evaluate whether making endospores is a mechanism of resistance or a survival strategy unrelated to antibiotic resistance.
5. Option c: Consider how altering a point of entry for a drug can prevent the drug from entering the bacterial cell, thus conferring resistance.

Key Concepts

Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms

Antibiotic resistance mechanisms refer to the various strategies that bacteria employ to survive exposure to antibiotics. These can include modifying the target site of the antibiotic, producing enzymes that degrade the drug, or increasing the expulsion of the drug from the cell through efflux pumps. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments and combating resistant infections.

Endospores

Endospores are highly resistant structures formed by certain bacteria as a survival strategy under unfavorable conditions. They allow bacteria to endure extreme environments, such as heat and desiccation, but are not a direct mechanism of antibiotic resistance. Recognizing the role of endospores helps differentiate between survival strategies and specific resistance mechanisms.

Efflux Pumps

Efflux pumps are membrane proteins that actively transport antibiotics and other toxic substances out of bacterial cells, thereby reducing drug concentration inside the cell. An increase in the number of active efflux pumps can significantly contribute to antibiotic resistance, as it allows bacteria to survive despite the presence of antimicrobial agents. Understanding efflux mechanisms is essential for addressing resistance in clinical settings.