Antimicrobials - Cell Wall Inhibitors - Penicillin

Question 1

What are the 7 major penicillins?

Answer 1

1. Penicillin
2. Amoxicillin
3. Ampicillin
4. Oxacillin
5. Nafcillin
6. Dicloxacillin
7. Piperacillin

Question 2

What suffix do penicillins end in?

Answer 2

-cillin

Question 3

How do penicillins work? What receptor do they bind to?

Answer 3

They inhibit the bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to the penicillin-binding protein (PBS) which inhibits the transpeptidase enzyme

Question 4

Name 3 other drugs that inhibit bacterial cell walls that are not of the following drug class:
Penicillins
Cephalosporin
Carbapenems
Monobactam
What drug class are these antibiotics?

Answer 4

Vancomycin
Fosfomycin
Daptomycin
The are glycopeptide antibiotics

Question 5

How do penicillins block cell wall synthesis?

Answer 5

1. They bind to the penicillin-binding protein (PBS) which inhibits the transpeptidase enzyme

Question 6

How do penicillins degrade peptidoglycan?

Answer 6

The drugs contain autolysins and murein hydrolases which destroy the bacterial cell wall (peptidoglycan)

Question 7

What is the bactericidal effect dependent on?

Answer 7

The drug is time-dependent and must be at the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Killing power does not increase with concentration but killing power will continue as long as the drug is above the MBC.