Definition

A type of enzyme made by some bacteria that breaks down penicillin, making it ineffective. This enzyme is important in medicine, especially for treating penicillin allergies.

Example

The doctor explained that the infection was resistant to treatment because the bacteria produced penicillinase.

Conversation

Have you heard about penicillinase and its role in medicine?

Yeah, it's fascinating how some bacteria can produce it to resist antibiotics.

Exactly! It makes treating infections a bit more complicated.

True, but it's good to know there are alternatives out there.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Penicillinase → It is formed from "penicillin" (from the Latin *penicillium*, meaning a type of mold) and "-ase" (a suffix used in biochemistry to denote enzymes). The word refers to an enzyme that breaks down penicillin.

Memory Tip

Think of 'penicillin' as the mold that produces the antibiotic, and '-ase' indicates an enzyme that acts on it. This helps you remember that penicillinase is an enzyme that breaks down penicillin.

Visually Confused Words