The resistance mechanism involving production of enzymes that degrade the antibiotic is known as?

The mechanism involving the production of enzymes that degrade antibiotics is accurately described by enzymatic degradation. This process occurs when bacteria produce specific enzymes that chemically break down the antibiotic molecules, rendering them ineffective. This is a significant mechanism of resistance because it directly neutralizes the drug's ability to exert its antimicrobial effects.

For example, a well-known enzyme in this category is beta-lactamase, which breaks down beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins. The presence of these enzymes allows bacteria to survive in environments where these antibiotics would normally kill them or inhibit their growth.

In contrast, the other mechanisms mentioned involve different processes. Target modification refers to alterations in the molecular targets of antibiotics, such as ribosomes or cell wall components, decreasing permeability involves changes to the bacterial cell membrane that prevent antibiotics from entering, and the efflux mechanism entails the active expulsion of the antibiotic from the bacterial cell. While each of these mechanisms contributes to antibiotic resistance, none specifically refer to the degradation of the antibiotic by enzymes.