2006-08-24 17:07:27 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Beta lactams interfere with a particular protein that is required for cell wall synthesis. without the cell wall, bacteria are very susceptible to destruction by immune systems, and by osmosis. The protein is called PBP - penicillin binding protein. Most of the early beta lactams are far more effective against gram positive organisms because they have more of a cell wall.
Bacteria can alter the PBP so that it is resistant to the beta lactam. they can also make an enzyme that breaks down the beta lactam, making it ineffective.
2006-08-25 04:10:17 · answer #1 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They inhibit the ability of bacterial to form outer cell membranes, thus causing the bacteria to "leak" to death.
2006-08-25 00:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by don patch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they inhibit the final step of bacterial cell wall synthesis, so cell lysis occurs
2006-08-25 00:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋