Pericytoplasmically

Pericytoplasmically refers to something that occurs within or is located in the pericytoplasm. The pericytoplasm is a space found in certain bacteria, specifically Gram-negative bacteria. It is situated between the inner membrane (cytoplasmic membrane) and the outer membrane of the bacterial cell wall. This space contains the peptidoglycan layer, which is a crucial structural component providing rigidity to the bacterial cell.

The term "pericytoplasmically" can be used to describe the location of molecules, processes, or structures. For example, certain enzymes involved in cell wall synthesis or modification might function pericytoplasmically. Similarly, the transport of specific substances across the bacterial cell envelope could be described as occurring pericytoplasmically if their movement is confined to this region. Understanding pericytoplasmic processes is important in microbiology and in the development of antimicrobial strategies, as this region is a target for some antibiotics. The term emphasizes the specific compartment within the Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope where these events take place, distinguishing them from processes occurring in the cytoplasm or the external environment.