Penicillin

:For the Japanese rock band, see Penicillin (band).

Mode of action

Main article: beta-lactam antibiotic

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Other β-lactam antibiotics work by inhibiting the formation of peptidoglycan cross links in the bacterial cell wall. The beta-lactam moiety of penicillin binds to the enzyme that links the peptidoglycan molecules in bacteria, and this weakens the cell wall of the bacterium when it multiplies (in other words, the antibiotic causes cell cytolysis or death when the bacterium tries to divide).

Related Topics:
β-lactam antibiotic - Peptidoglycan - Cross link - Cell wall - Beta-lactam - Moiety - Enzyme - Cytolysis - Death

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