Assertion: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are resistant to β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene, which encodes a new transpeptidase (penicillin binding protein) called PBP2a Because
Reason: The transpeptidase PBP2a has β-lactamase inactivating functionality allowing it to enzymatically cleave the β-lactam ring of the antibiotic thereby inactivating it
a. Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion
b. Both the Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion
c. The Assertion is true but the Reason is false
d. The Assertion is false but the Reason is true
e. Both the Assertion and Reason are false