peptidiketjun

Peptidiketjun, also known as peptidoglycan, is a type of polysaccharide that forms a mesh-like structure in the cell walls of bacteria. It is composed of repeating units of amino sugars, typically N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid, linked by short peptides. The peptides are usually composed of four amino acids: D-alanine, D-glutamic acid, L-lysine, and D-amino acid. The peptidoglycan layer provides structural integrity and rigidity to bacterial cells, helping them maintain their shape and protect against osmotic pressure. It also plays a crucial role in cell division and cell wall synthesis. The structure of peptidoglycan varies among different bacterial species, but it is a fundamental component of the bacterial cell wall, distinguishing it from the cell walls of other organisms, such as plants and animals. The peptidoglycan layer is a target for many antibiotics, which inhibit cell wall synthesis, leading to cell death.