How Do Penicillins Work?

Penicillins work by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis (cell walls are necessary to protect the bacteria from their environment and keep the contents of the cell together) by attacking the peptidoglycans (mesh-like structure that increases the strength of the cell wall) leading to the bursting of the bacteria and ...

How do penicillins kill bacteria?

Penicillin kills bacteria by inhibiting the proteins which cross-link peptidoglycans in the cell wall (Figure 8). When a bacterium divides in the presence of penicillin, it cannot fill in the “holes” left in its cell wall.

What is the mechanism of action of penicillin?

Penicillin kills bacteria through binding of the beta-lactam ring to DD-transpeptidase, inhibiting its cross-linking activity and preventing new cell wall formation. Without a cell wall, a bacterial cell is vulnerable to outside water and molecular pressures, which causes the cell to quickly die.