How does penicillin kill bacteria? Penicillin augments the body's natural ability to enzymatically degrade bacterial peptidoglyc
an, causing the cells to lyse Penicillin targets a cross-linking reaction in cell wall manufacture. By blocking the enzyme responsible, penicillin stops the bacteria from producing new peptidoglycan. Penicillin targets muramic acid in the cell wall. By damaging a key component of the cross-linking reaction, the cell can't build a strong peptidoglycan mesh and quickly breaks apart. Penicillin damages the lipid membrane of bacterial cells by enzymatically removing peptidoglycan from the membrane's outer surface. The weakened cells quickly lyse.
The correct answer is option c. By blocking the enzyme responsible, penicillin stops the bacteria from producing new peptidoglycan.
Explanation:
Penicillins are derived from Penicillium molds. These are a group of antibiotics, used in treating various types of bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal infections etc.
These antibiotics also used in treating gonorrhoea, meningitis, pneumonia, syphilis, etc. These antibiotics stop the bacteria from producing new peptidoglycan that blocks the enzyme.
