How Do Beta Lactamases Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance?
Beta lactamases contribute to antibiotic resistance by hydrolyzing the beta-lactam ring present in these antibiotics. This action deactivates the antibiotic before it can exert its bactericidal effect. Resistance can be intrinsic or acquired through mutations or horizontal gene transfer, often facilitated by plasmids, transposons, and integrons within bacterial populations.
