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Questions and Answers
What is the function of the cell wall in bacteria?
What is the function of the cell wall in bacteria?
The cell wall maintains cell integrity, prevents cell lysis from high osmotic pressure, and surrounds the cytoplasmic membrane.
What is the composition of the bacterial cell wall?
What is the composition of the bacterial cell wall?
The cell wall is composed of a complex, cross-linked polymer of polysaccharides and peptides known as peptidoglycan, which contains alternating amino sugars: N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM).
What is the role of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) in the cell wall?
What is the role of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) in the cell wall?
Penicillin-binding protein (PBP) is an enzyme that removes the terminal alanine in the process of forming a cross-link with a nearby peptide, which gives the cell wall its rigidity.
How do beta-lactam antibiotics inhibit the transpeptidation reaction in bacteria?
How do beta-lactam antibiotics inhibit the transpeptidation reaction in bacteria?
What are the key components of the polysaccharide part of the peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall?
What are the key components of the polysaccharide part of the peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall?
Flashcards
Bacterial Cell Wall Function
Bacterial Cell Wall Function
Maintains cell shape, prevents bursting from high osmotic pressure.
Peptidoglycan Composition
Peptidoglycan Composition
A polymer of sugars (NAG & NAM) and peptides, cross-linked.
PBP Role
PBP Role
Enzyme that forms cross-links in peptidoglycan, crucial for cell wall's strength.
Beta-lactams' Action
Beta-lactams' Action
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Peptidoglycan's Sugars
Peptidoglycan's Sugars
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