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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not a type of β-lactam antimicrobial?
A
Tetracycline
B
Carbapenem
C
Cephalosporin
D
Penicillin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of β-lactam antibiotics: β-lactams are characterized by a four-membered lactam ring. This is a cyclic amide with the nitrogen atom attached to the β-carbon relative to the carbonyl group.
Identify the common classes of β-lactam antibiotics: The main classes include Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, and Monobactams. Each of these classes contains the β-lactam ring as a core structural component.
Examine the structure of Tetracycline: Tetracyclines are a class of antibiotics that do not contain a β-lactam ring. Instead, they have a four-ring system that is quite different from the β-lactam structure.
Compare the structures: By comparing the structures of Tetracycline with those of Penicillin, Cephalosporin, and Carbapenem, you can see that Tetracycline lacks the β-lactam ring, which is a defining feature of β-lactam antibiotics.
Conclude which is not a β-lactam: Based on the structural analysis, Tetracycline is not a β-lactam antimicrobial, as it does not contain the characteristic β-lactam ring.