What is a Peptidoglycan?
Peptidoglycan is a type of polymer found in the cell walls of bacteria. This polymer is responsible for the phenomenon known as gram staining, in which certain types of bacteria acquire a rich purple color when exposed to crystal violet dye, and it serves a number of important biological functions for the organisms it encases. In addition to being visually very interesting, the gram staining process can provide important information about the structure of the bacteria under examination, and it can be used as a key identifying tool. This polymer, also known as murein, is made from crosslinked chains of sugars and amino acids. It forms a rigid matrix which contributes to the integrity of the bacterium. While peptidoglycan cell walls will not determine the shape of an organism, they will help it hold its shape, ensuring that it is not compromised. In addition, they provide protection from external forces which could threaten the bacteria, such as antibiotic drugs. In gram positive bacteri
