Antibiotic such as penicillin blocks

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cell wall formation in bacteria

RNA synthesis in bacteria

DNA synthesis in bacteria

division in bacteria

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UPSC CDS-2 – 2020

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Antibiotics such as penicillin work by interfering with the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, specifically the peptidoglycan layer.

Penicillin inhibits the transpeptidase enzymes (also known as penicillin-binding proteins or PBPs) that cross-link the peptidoglycan chains, which are essential for the structural integrity of the bacterial cell wall. This weakens the wall, leading to cell lysis (bursting) due to osmotic pressure.

Different classes of antibiotics target different processes in bacteria, such as protein synthesis (e.g., tetracyclines, erythromycin), DNA synthesis (e.g., quinolones), RNA synthesis (e.g., rifampicin), or metabolic pathways (e.g., sulfonamides).

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