Beta-lactamase

Beta-lactamase is a bad guy that can hurt our friend, antibiotics. Antibiotics are like superheroes that fight against harmful bacteria. They have powers that can weaken and destroy bacteria. But beta-lactamase is like a villain that can destroy the powers of antibiotics.

When antibiotics enter our body, they go after bacteria and try to weaken them. One way they do this is by interrupting the process of making bacteria's cell wall. Cell wall is like a fence that keeps bacteria's inside stuff inside and controls what goes in and out. If bacteria's cell wall is damaged, they will weaken and die.

But beta-lactamase is like a secret key that can unlock any lock. It can break the bonds that antibiotics use to interrupt cell wall making process. When beta-lactamase gets inside bacteria, it destroys antibiotics' powers to weaken it. This means that even if we use antibiotics to fight bacteria, beta-lactamase can protect the bacteria and make it stronger.

So, beta-lactamase is a villain that can make antibiotics weak and powerless, and help bacteria to survive and multiply. To defeat beta-lactamase, scientists are working on new kinds of antibiotics or ways to make beta-lactamase powerless.