beta-lactam

Noun

Meaning

beta-lactam (plural beta-lactams)

(organic chemistry) A lactam having a four-membered ring structure; a structural element of many antibiotics such as penicillin.
Hypernym: lactam

Source: en.wiktionary.org

Related terms

alpha-lactam

Examples

Escherichia coli bacteria on the right are sensitive to two beta-lactam antibiotics, and do not grow in the semi-circular regions surrounding the antibiotics. Source: Internet

Mechanism of action Ampicillin is in the penicillin group of beta-lactam antibiotics and is part of the aminopenicillin family. Source: Internet

This is a benefit over clavulonic acid and similar beta-lactam competitors, because they cannot be hydrolysed, and therefore rendered useless. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

beta-hydroxybutyric acid beta-hydroxylalanine beta-interferon beta-lactamase beta-lactamic beta-lipoprotein