or pump it out. They are different from mutations that give bacteria resistance to antibiotics by preventing the antibiotic from getting in or changing the shape of the target protein. R-factors have been known to contain up to ten resistance genes. They can also spread easily as they contain genes for constructing pili, which allow them to transfer the R-factor to other bacteria. R-factors have contributed to the growing antibiotic resistance crisis because they quickly spread resistance genes among bacteria. The R factor by itself cannot be transmitted. Structure of Resistance Plasmids The majority of the R-RTF (Resistance Transfer Factor) molecules are found in the resistance plasmid, which can be conceptualized as a circular piece of DNA with a length of 80 to 95 kb. This plasmid shares many genes with the F factor and is largely homologous to it. Additionally, it has a fin 0 gene that inhibits the transfer operon's functionality. The size and number of drug resistance genes in each R factor varies.The RTF is bigger than the R determinant. An IS 1 element separates the RTF and R determinant on either side before they combine into a single unit.The IS 1 components simplify it for R determinants to be transferred between different R-RTF unit types. Functions of Resistance Plasmids they play a role in the autonomous replication, conjugation, and ampicillin resistance genes. Genes in the resistance plasmids enable bacteria to produce Pilli and develop resistance to antibiotics. MDR genes in bacteria are transmitted mainly through the resistance plasmids. Transmission Bacteria containing F-factors (said to be "F+") have the capability for horizontal gene transfer; they can construct a sex pilus, which emerges from the donor bacterium and ensnares the recipient bacterium, draws it in, and eventually triggers the formation of a mating bridge, merging the cytoplasms of two bacteria via a controlled pore. This pore allows the transfer of genetic material, such as a plasmid. Conjugation allows two bacteria, not necessarily from the same species, to transfer genetic material one way. Since many R-factors contain F-plasmids, antibiotic resistance can be easily spread among a population of bacteria. Also, R-factors can be taken up by "DNA pumps" in their membranes via transformation, or less commonly through viral mediated transduction, or via bacteriophage, although conjugation is the most common means of antibiotic resistance spread. They contain the gene called RTF (Resistance transfer factor). Enterobacteriaceae it is a family of