resistens

Resistens is the capacity to withstand or oppose the effect of a force, agent, or condition. The term is used across disciplines to describe the ability of systems, organisms, materials, or societies to resist intrusion, damage, or change. In practice, resistens is often contextual and measured against a defined stressor.

In physics and materials science, electrical resistance is a property of conductors and insulators that slows electrical current. It is measured in ohms and depends on material, temperature, dimensions, and impurities. Materials with high resistance impede current; those with low resistance conduct more readily.

In biology and medicine, resistance commonly refers to antimicrobial resistance—pathogens that survive exposure to drugs designed to kill them. Mechanisms include enzymatic inactivation, mutation of drug targets, efflux pumps, and reduced permeability. Resistance evolves under selective pressure from drug use and can spread by gene transfer. It complicates treatment and drives the need for stewardship, surveillance, and new therapies.

In agriculture and environmental contexts, organisms such as weeds and pests can become resistant to pesticides and herbicides, reducing efficacy. Management strategies include rotating modes of action, integrated pest management, adherence to label rates, and combining chemical with non-chemical controls.

In a broader social sense, resistance can denote organized opposition to authority, policy, or oppression. Movements, protests, and civil society actions represent resistens to different kinds of governance, sometimes leading to policy change or social transformation.