Question

Penicillin is a(n):

1) β-lactam antibiotic and has a low therapeutic index, meaning that it is of high toxicity to the host.
2) carbapenam and is thus resistant to extended spectrum β-lactamases.
3) glycopeptide antibiotic and is thus used as an antibiotic of last resort.
4) β-lactam antibiotic and has a high therapeutic index, meaning that it is of low toxicity to the host.
5) aminoglycoside and may sometimes cause kidney damage.

Answer 1

Penicillin is a β-lactam antibiotic that inhibits the transpeptidase These antibiotics have a β-lactam ring which is the active site of the compound. Penicillin, along with other β-lactam antibiotics like cephalosporins and carbapenems activity of penicillin-binding proteins, leading to the death of bacteria.

Step-by-step explanation:

Penicillin is a β-lactam antibiotic that belongs to the group of antibacterials known as β-lactams. These antibiotics have a β-lactam ring which is the active site of the compound. Penicillin, along with other β-lactam antibiotics like cephalosporins and carbapenems,

inhibits the transpeptidase activity of penicillin-binding proteins, which blocks the crosslinking of peptide chains during the biosynthesis of new peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall. This interference with cell wall synthesis leads to the death of bacteria.