Question

Over time staph bacteria have become resistant to the antibiotic penicillin. Which process explains how penicillin resistance developed?

Answer 1

The bacteria become resistant to antibiotics by hydrolyzing the β-lactam ring.

Explanation:

1. β-lactam antibiotics inhibit enzymes with a β-lactam ring, which binds to the enzyme in the bacteria cell.
2. The bacteria become resistant to antibiotics by hydrolyzing the β-lactam ring.
3. They do this by a blaZ gene, which codes for penicillinase.