What is a consequence of the overuse of antibiotics?

The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a significant consequence of the overuse of antibiotics. When antibiotics are used excessively or inappropriately, they create selective pressure on bacterial populations. This pressure allows bacteria with mutations or acquired resistance genes to survive and reproduce, leading to a population of bacteria that is no longer susceptible to the effects of those antibiotics.

As resistant bacteria proliferate, infections caused by these organisms become more difficult to treat, leading to higher medical costs, longer hospital stays, and increased mortality. The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern and is linked directly to the misuse and overprescription of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture.

In contrast, the other choices mentioned do not correctly address the primary consequence of overusing antibiotics. Strengthened immune responses, development of normal flora, and increased susceptibility to diseases do not accurately reflect the outcome of excessive antibiotic use. Instead, the focus should remain on the critical issue of resistance in bacteria as a direct result of this practice.