beta-lactam
English
Etymology
beta + lactam
Alternative forms
- β-lactam
Noun
beta-lactam (plural beta-lactams)
- (organic chemistry) A lactam having a four-membered ring structure; a structural element of many antibiotics such as penicillin.
Synonyms
- penam
Hypernyms
- lactam
Derived terms
- beta-lactamase
Related terms
- alpha-lactam