The following is an Assertion/Reason question. These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason. Read both statements carefully and then select the correct answer from the options below[table]
Assertion | | Reason Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene, which encodes a new transpeptidase (penicillin binding protein) called PBP2a | Because | PBP2a has beta-lactamase functionality allowing it to enzymatically cleave the beta-lactam rind of the antibiotic thereby inactivating it
[/table]

Question

The following is an Assertion/Reason question. These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason. Read both statements carefully and then select the correct answer from the options below[table]
Assertion |  | Reason Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene, which encodes a new transpeptidase (penicillin binding protein) called PBP2a | Because | PBP2a has beta-lactamase functionality allowing it to enzymatically cleave the beta-lactam rind of the antibiotic thereby inactivating it
[/table]

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The two statements present an Assertion and a Reason, so we need to evaluate each independently and then judge how they relate.
Option a: Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion. While the Assertion is largely accurate in that MRSA exhibits resistance to beta-lactams due to mecA, the Reason is not correct because PBP2a does not function as a beta-lactamase. It is a penicillin-binding protein with low affinity for beta-lactams, not an enzyme that cleaves and inactivates the antibiotic. Therefore this option is incorrect.
Option b: Both the Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion. This would be the case if the Reason were true but did not explain the Assertion. However, the main problem here is that the Reason itself is false (PBP2a is not a beta-lactamase), so this option cannot be correct.
Option c: The Assertion is true but the Reason is false. This matches the established understanding: MRSA harbors mecA which encodes PBP2a, a transpeptidase with low affinity for beta-lactams, leading to resistance. The Reason claims PBP2a has beta-lactamase activity to cleave the drug, which is incorrect because PBP2a’s mechanism is not enzymatic degradation of the antibiotic but altered target binding. Hence this option correctly separates truth from falsehood.
Option d: The Assertion is false but the Reason is true. This is not consistent with current knowledge, since the Assertion about mecA and PBP2a granting beta-lactam resistance is true, so this option is incorrect.
Option e: Both the Assertion and Reason are false. Since the Assertion is true and the Reason is false, this option is also incorrect.

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