Question

Which one of the following antibiotics kills bacterial cells by inhibiting the polymerization of peptidoglycan?

• A. Aminoglycosides
• B. Fluoroquinolones
• C. Quinines
• D. Penicillins

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Penicillins

Peptidoglycan is a polymer of amino acids (i.e, the peptide-) and sugars (-glycan) that makes up the cell wall of all bacteria. This structure is so fundamental to bacterial life. The major functional division of bacterial species is based on the structure of this peptidoglycan layer. Penicillin is the antibiotic kills bacterial cells by inhibiting the polymerization of peptidoglycan. Penicillin works by inhibiting the repair of the peptidoglycan layer, therefore damage compounds and the peptidoglycan is compromised causing it to become susceptible to osmotic lysis. So, the correct answer is option D.