Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

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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?

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?

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?

<p>Beta-lactam antibiotics, as structural analogs of the natural d-Ala-d-Ala substrate, covalently bind to the active site of PBPs, thus inhibiting the transpeptidation reaction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key components of the polysaccharide part of the peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall?

<p>The polysaccharide part of the peptidoglycan contains alternating amino sugars: N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM).</p> Signup and view all the answers