Which of the following resistance mechanisms describes the function of β-lactamase?efflux pumptarget mimicrydrug inactivationtarget overproduction

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the mechanisms listed: efflux pump, target mimicry, drug inactivation, target overproduction.
2. Determine the specific function of β-lactamase in antibiotic resistance.

Relevant Concepts

• Efflux Pump: A mechanism used by bacteria to pump out antibiotics, decreasing their effectiveness.
• Target Mimicry: Involves bacteria mimicking the target site of the antibiotic to evade its action.
• Drug Inactivation: A process where bacteria produce enzymes that chemically modify or degrade antibiotics.
• Target Overproduction: Occurs when bacteria produce more of the target site than the antibiotic can effectively bind to.

Analysis and Details

• β-lactamase is an enzyme produced by some bacteria that provide resistance to β-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins.
• The primary role of β-lactamase is to break down the β-lactam ring found in these antibiotics, rendering them ineffective.

Verify and Summarize

Considering the definitions and functions, β-lactamase clearly fits into the mechanism of drug inactivation.

Final Answer

The correct resistance mechanism described by β-lactamase is drug inactivation.