Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Beta-lactam
Beta-lactam is a heteroatomic ring structure, consisting of three carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom (Fig. 1). The beta-lactam ring is part of several antibiotics, such as penicillin, which are therefore also called beta-lactam antibiotics. These antibiotics work by inhibiting the bacterial cell wall synthesis. This has a lethal effect on bacteria, especially on Gram-positive ones. Bacteria can become resistant against beta-lactam antibiotics by expressing beta-lactamase.
See also:
Figure 1: Penicillin-G. Beta-lactam ring marked blue.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details