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Beta Lactam Research Paper

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Beta-lactam antibiotics include Penicillins and Cephalosporins that contain a chemical structure called a beta lactam ring. This structure is capable of binding to the enzymes that crosslink peptidoglycans. Beta-lactams interfere with cross linking by binding to enzymes preventing bacterial cell wall synthesis. By inhibiting cell wall synthesis, it then becomes damaged and the internal osmotic pressure causes the cell wall to rupture or burst because of the low osmotic pressure on the external environment. This stimulates the release of autolysosomes that digest the existing cell wall. Beta-lactam antibiotics are considered bactericidal agents. Bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics may be acquired by several roots. One of

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