Penicillin

Question 1

What is penicillin?

Answer 1

• It is a beta-lactamase inhibitor
• It prevents the synthesis of peptidoglycan

Question 2

What happens if the synthesis of peptidoglycan can’t happen?

Answer 2

• The bacteria won’t be able to form a cell wall which will cause them to die

Question 3

How does penicillin treat leptospirosis?

Answer 3

• The penicillin will cause the synthesis of peptidoglycan to not happen which will cause the bacteria to not be able to form a cell wall which will further cause the bacteria to die which will help treat leptospirosis

Question 4

What are the side effects of penicillin?

Answer 4

• It can cause gastrointestinal upset, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea
• Penicillin causes these side effects as it kills both the good and bad bacteria in the body