Question

The molecular structure of penicillin antibiotic is
A. Macrocyclic lactone
B. Glycosidic linkage in amino sugar
C. \[\beta \]-lactam ring
D. Polvaena and non-polyene

Answer 1

Hint: Penicillin is an antibiotic drug used to treat bacteria-induced infections. It has a molecular structure consisting of a special chemical ring. It is attached to the carbon atom.

Complete answer: Penicillium is a genus of the fungi that belong to the phylum Ascomycota. It is of considerable importance in the world as it is involved in the spoiling of food and in the manufacture of food and drugs. Penicillin is a molecule used as an antibiotic that destroys or prevents the growth of certain kinds of bacteria. It is formed by certain members of the genus typically, from the organism Penicillium chrysogenum. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite of certain Penicillium species and is produced when stress inhibits the growth of the fungus. Its composition comprises a\[\beta \]-lactam ring with a 339.4 g/mol molecular structure. These antibiotics were among the first drugs which were effective against several staphylococci and streptococci-induced bacterial infections. A four-membered lactam is referred to as a beta-lactam (\[\beta \]-lactam) ring. Beta-lactams are so-called because the nitrogen atom is bound to the beta carbon atom.
So, the correct answer is option C.

Note: There have been records on the antibacterial properties of the Penicillium mould since the late 19th century. But they could not discern what process caused the effect. The first to demonstrate that Penicillium rubrum had antibacterial properties was the Scottish physician Alexander Fleming. He observed this at St Mary's Hospital in London in 1928.