Which method can bacteria use to overcome the effects of antibiotics?

Bacteria can overcome the effects of antibiotics through intrinsic resistance mechanisms. This refers to the inherent capabilities of certain bacteria that allow them to withstand the effects of specific antibiotics without the need for genetic mutation or acquisition of resistance genes. For example, some bacteria have natural characteristics such as a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall or the ability to pump out antibiotics before they can exert any effect. These traits make them less susceptible or resistant to particular classes of antibiotics.

In contrast, decreasing multiplication rates do not provide a direct mechanism for overcoming antibiotic effects; rather, it may simply slow down the impact of the antibiotic temporarily. Enhanced susceptibility to treatment would imply that bacteria are more affected by antibiotics, which is contrary to the concept of resistance. Lastly, improper storage of antibiotics does not impact bacterial resistance mechanisms; it may affect the efficacy of the antibiotics themselves but does not change the bacteria's capacity to resist them. Thus, intrinsic resistance mechanisms is the critical way some bacteria can successfully evade the action of antibiotics.