Penicillin resistance via target enzyme mutation

Steps:

• Penicillin inhibits transpeptidase enzyme, blocking bacterial cell wall synthesis.
• Resistance arises from mutations altering the drug's target or degrading the drug.
• Evaluate options: check if mutation enables cell wall production despite penicillin.
• Select option matching enzyme alteration for continued peptidoglycan cross-linking.

Why B is correct:

• Penicillin binds transpeptidase to halt cell wall formation; mutation alters enzyme production, evading inhibition per antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Penicillin targets cell wall enzymes, not DNA binding.
• C: Penicillin inhibits cell wall synthesis, not membrane production.
• D: While beta-lactamase degrades penicillin, this describes enzyme production, not direct cell wall enzyme alteration.

Final answer: B