Penicillinase (Noun)
Meaning
Enzyme produced by certain bacteria that inactivates penicillin and results in resistance to that antibiotic.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The discovery of penicillinase led to the development of beta-lactamase inhibitors to combat antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
- Penicillinase is an enzyme produced by certain bacteria that renders penicillin ineffective against infections caused by those bacteria.
- The widespread use of penicillin in the mid-20th century led to the emergence of bacteria that produced penicillinase.
- Penicillinase breaks down the beta-lactam ring of penicillin, rendering it ineffective against bacterial infections.
- Bacteria that produce penicillinase are resistant to penicillin and require alternative antibiotics to treat infections.