periplasm
noun
peri·plasm
ˈper-ə-ˌpla-zəm 
: the region in a gram-negative bacterium between the plasma membrane and an outer surrounding membrane that contains especially enzymes and a thin layer of peptidoglycan
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Any drug that wants to get into a Gram-negative bacterium's cell must traverse both membranes and the periplasm—no small feat.
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Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Jan. 2024
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Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Periplasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periplasm. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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