Here's a breakdown:
* Carbohydrate matrix: This is made up of alternating units of N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG).
* Short chains of amino acids: These chains, known as peptides, connect the NAM units in adjacent carbohydrate chains.
* Cross-linking: The peptide chains can also cross-link with each other, forming a strong, rigid structure that gives the cell wall its shape and protects the bacterium from osmotic pressure.
The specific amino acid composition of the peptide chains varies between bacterial species, but they typically include D-amino acids, which are not commonly found in proteins. This unique feature of bacterial peptidoglycan makes it a good target for antibiotics.
