peptidoglycan biosynthesis: Difference between revisions
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Bacteria are divided into two main categories depending on composition of their cell wall. | Bacteria are divided into two main categories depending on composition of their cell wall. | ||
Cells can be Gram positive, characterized by a thick layer of peptidoglycan and lack of an outer membrane or cells can be Gram negative. Gram negative cells have a thin layer of peptidoglycan between an inner and outer cell membrane. E.coli are Gram negative. | Cells can be Gram positive, characterized by a thick layer of peptidoglycan and lack of an outer membrane or cells can be Gram negative. Gram negative cells have a thin layer of peptidoglycan between an inner and outer cell membrane. E.coli are Gram negative. | ||
Peptidoglycan in composed of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) pentapeptides. | Peptidoglycan in composed of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) pentapeptides. Peptidoglycan strands are crosslinked through their pentapeptide chains, which gives the structure its flexibility and strength. | ||
Revision as of 20:30, 14 December 2008
Peptidoglyan Biosynthesis
An Overiew of Peptidoglycan Stucture
Peptidoglycan is also commonly referred as the cell wall. Bacteria are divided into two main categories depending on composition of their cell wall. Cells can be Gram positive, characterized by a thick layer of peptidoglycan and lack of an outer membrane or cells can be Gram negative. Gram negative cells have a thin layer of peptidoglycan between an inner and outer cell membrane. E.coli are Gram negative. Peptidoglycan in composed of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) pentapeptides. Peptidoglycan strands are crosslinked through their pentapeptide chains, which gives the structure its flexibility and strength.