What is the Difference Between Beta Lactam and Non Beta Lactam?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between beta-lactam and non-beta-lactam antibiotics lies in their structure and mode of action.
Beta-lactam antibiotics:
- Contain a beta-lactam ring within their molecular structure.
- Are more powerful than non-beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Examples include penicillin derivatives, monobactams, carbapenems, and cephalosporins.
- Inhibit the synthesis of bacterial cell walls.
Non-beta-lactam antibiotics:
- Do not have a beta-lactam ring within their molecular structure.
- Are less powerful than beta-lactam antibiotics.
- Examples include chloramphenicol, vancomycin, daptomycin, and fosfomycin.
- Inhibit protein and nucleic acid synthesis, disrupt the membranes of cells, and function as antimetabolites of bacteria.
Beta-lactam antibiotics are generally more active against gram-positive bacteria but can also be used for gram-negative bacteria. On the other hand, non-beta-lactam antibiotics have been developed to treat bacteria with resistances to beta-lactams and have different structures and modes of action.
Comparative Table: Beta Lactam vs Non Beta Lactam
The main difference between beta-lactam and non-beta-lactam antibiotics lies in their molecular structure and mechanism of action. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:
Feature | Beta-Lactam Antibiotics | Non-Beta-Lactam Antibiotics |
---|---|---|
Molecular Structure | Contain a beta-lactam ring within their structure | Do not have a beta-lactam ring within their structure |
Mechanism of Action | Inhibit the synthesis of bacterial cell walls | Inhibit protein and nucleic acid synthesis, disrupt the membranes of cells, and function as antimetabolites of bacteria |
Examples | Penicillin Derivatives, Monobactams, Carbapenems, and Cephalosporins | Chloramphenicol, Vancomycin, Daptomycin, and Fosfomycin |
Active Against | Bacterial infections | Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections |
Beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin and its derivatives, are bactericidal agents that interrupt bacterial cell-wall formation by targeting specific enzymes involved in peptidoglycan cross-linking in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. On the other hand, non-beta-lactam antibiotics target various cellular processes, such as protein and nucleic acid synthesis, membrane disruption, and bacterial metabolism.
- Beta Lactam vs Cephalosporin
- Penicillinase vs Beta Lactamase
- Lactam vs Lactim
- Penicillin vs Cephalosporin
- Amoxicillin vs Penicillin
- Lactose Fermenting vs Non-lactose Fermenting Bacteria
- Antibiotics vs Antibacterial
- Lactide vs Lactone
- Lactobacillus vs Bifidobacterium
- Bacteriocin vs Antibiotic
- Crystalline Penicillin vs Benzylpenicillin
- Alpha vs Beta Galactosidase
- Atypical Bacteria vs Typical Bacteria
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus vs Lactobacillus Reuteri
- Alpha Beta vs Gamma Proteobacteria
- Penicillin G vs Penicillin V
- Bactericidal vs Bacteriostatic
- Alpha vs Beta Amino Acid
- Alpha vs Beta Amylase