PLEASE HELP ASAP In patients infected with nonresistant strains of the tuberculosis bacterium, antibiotics can relieve symptoms in a few weeks. However, it takes much longer to halt the infection, and patients may discontinue treatment while bacteria are still present. How could this result in the evolution of drug-resistant pathogens?

The bacteria are still present and may obtain antibiotic resistance to spread to other species by horizontal gene transfer.

Antibiotics have become diluted and weak because of a limited supply.

Bacteria have purposefully directed their immune system to resist the effect of the antibiotic.

Resistant bacteria are polyploidy and can resist the antibiotic, a trait that is passed on to their offspring.