The penicillin-G molecule in 3-D

The grey spheres represent carbon atoms, the red ones oxygen and the white ones hydrogen. The two blue spheres are nitrogen atoms and the single yellow sphere is a sulphur atom.
You can move the molecule by holding down the left mouse button and dragging the mouse.

In the middle of the molecule is a square section, which gives penicillin its antibiotic effect. This is called a beta lactam ring.


This form of penicillin has a benzyl group at one end of the molecule.
This contains a 6-membered benzene ring - on the right of the molecule as it initially loads.

Click here to see about the production of antibiotics in fermenters.

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