Peptidoglycan is made up of

Options

A. D-glucuronic acid
B. N-acetyl glucosamine
C. N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetyl muramic acid
D. Both (1) & (2)

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Peptidoglycan**: Peptidoglycan is a polymer that forms a crucial component of the cell wall in bacteria. It provides structural support and shape to the bacterial cell.

2. **Components of Peptidoglycan**: The primary building blocks of peptidoglycan are two types of sugar derivatives:
- **N-acetylglucosamine (NAG)**: This is a sugar that forms part of the backbone of peptidoglycan.
- **N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)**: This is another sugar that is linked to NAG and is essential for the structure of peptidoglycan.

3. **Linkage of Components**: NAG and NAM are linked together by small peptide chains. These peptide chains create cross-links between the sugar molecules, providing additional strength and rigidity to the cell wall.

4. **Role of Antibiotics**: Some antibiotics target the synthesis of peptidoglycan by inhibiting the formation of these peptide cross-links, which leads to the weakening of the bacterial cell wall and ultimately causes bacterial cell lysis (death).

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, peptidoglycan is made up of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM), along with peptide chains that connect these sugars.

**Final Answer**: Peptidoglycan is made up of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM).

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