Part I: Question 2. What are the differences in how B-lactam antibiotics and
vancomycin work?
B-lactam is a kind of antibiotic that interferes with the penicillin-binding protein to bind to and inhibit the active site of the amino acids responsible for maintaining and strengthening the cell wall.
Vancomycin is an antibiotic that stops cell wall formation addition to doing so, but it also binds directly to the cell wall to prevent cross-bridging between the walls of the cell.
In your answer for Question 2 you stated that since they both decrease the growth of MRSA, the treatment would be more effective than if administered independently. What would be your assumption, or knowledge, be on how both are more effective? For example, do they tag team and fight the same protein within the bacteria or possibly attack two different portions of the protein within the bacteria, etc.?