Final answer:
Piperacillin has a broader spectrum of activity compared to Ticarcillin, making it effective against a wider range of pathogens including MRSA.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the anti-pseudomonal penicillins Ticarcillin and Piperacillin, Piperacillin is generally considered to have a broader spectrum of activity. Both antibiotics are effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and other gram-negative bacteria, but Piperacillin is also active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This broader spectrum is achieved through structural modifications to the R group in the penicillin molecule, providing enhanced activity against a wider range of pathogens.
Penicillins, including Ticarcillin and Piperacillin, function as cell wall synthesis inhibitors by blocking the crosslinking of peptide chains during the creation of peptidoglycan, crucial for bacterial cell walls. This results in the cell taking up water and bursting due to osmotic pressure. Piperacillin's broader efficacy, compared to Ticarcillin, makes it an important tool in the fight against resistant bacterial infections.