Biology/peptoglycan
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Question
what is peptoglycan? and what does it mean to have it in bacteria's cell wall?
Hello and thanks for your question.
Peptidoglycan is a sugar (N-acetyl glucosamine) amino acid lattice work that forms the outside of bacteria. Think of it as a log raft of NAG with cross linking of peptides. It adds structure to the cell and helps protect it from the environment.
Bacteria generally fall into one of two categories: Gram positive and Gram negative. Gram positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan wall, and Gram negative bacteria have a thin one. Gram negative bacteria also have an outer layer of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that is very toxic.
I hope this answer helps you, please let me know if you need more information.
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Answers by Expert:
Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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