Final answer:
Peptidoglycan synthesis in bacilli is essential for bacterial cell wall construction, occurring at the septum and along the cell's length. It involves polysaccharide chains and unique peptides like D-glutamic acid and D-alanine, which provide strength and rigidity to the cell walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The peptidoglycan synthesis in bacilli occurs at the septum formation during cell division and also along the cell's length in bacterial growth. Bacterial cell walls are composed of peptidoglycan, a complex structure with polysaccharide chains cross-linked by unique peptides containing both L- and D-amino acids, including D-glutamic acid and D-alanine.
Structurally, peptidoglycan gives bacteria their shape and rigidity due to the tensile strength of the layers and cross-linked peptides that form a mesh-like structure. In gram-positive bacteria, such as some species of bacilli, the peptidoglycan layer is thick and includes teichoic acids, while gram-negative bacteria have a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane. Antibiotics often target the synthesis of peptidoglycan, making it a crucial area for bacterial survival and an important focus for understanding bacterial growth and antibiotic resistance.