What are beta lactams antibiotics?
1 Answer
Apr 7, 2016
Penicillin
Explanation:
Beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin, cephalosporins and carbapenems inhibit the formation of a bacterium's cell wall.
The cell wall of a bacterium is made of peptidoglycan. It consists of carbohydrates and amino acids that cross-link to form a mesh-like layer. The cell wall acts as a barrier against foreign objects and sustains the form of the bacterium.
Beta-lactam antibiotics break these cross-links that hold the cell wall together so it falls apart and kills itself.
