Lecture 4

Question 1

What are the two main components of peptidoglycan sheets?

Answer 1

The carbohydrates N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) and N-acetyl-muramic acid (NAM)

Question 2

How many amino acids in a tetrapeptide?

Answer 2

4

Question 3

What is an interbridge?

Answer 3

An interbridge connects two tetrapeptides, allowing for a thicker layer of peptidoglycan in Gram (+) bacteria

Question 4

What is a beta-lactam ring?

Answer 4

This binds to enzymes that crosslink peptidoglycan. It is found in penicillin

Question 5

What is a lysozyme?

Answer 5

An enzyme that is the first line of defense against bacteria and the like. This breaks down the cell wall by breaking down the covalent bonds between NAG and NAM

Question 6

What is the gram stain Mordant?

Answer 6

Gram’s iodine is the mordant used in gram staining to fix the crystal violet.

Question 7

What are pleomorphic bacteria?

Answer 7

Bacteria that can change their shape or size.

Question 8

What genera produce mycolic acid?

Answer 8

Mycoplasmas and mycobacterium

Question 9

What amino acids are found in the tetrapeptide?

Answer 9

• L-alanine
• D-glutamic acid
• meso-DAP/L-lysine
• D-alanine

Question 10

What does the tetrapeptide attach to?

Answer 10

NAM