Which of the following antibiotics kills bacterial cells by inhibitng the polymerisation of peptidoglycans

Options

A. Aminoglycosides
B. Fluoroquiolones
C. Quinine
D. Penicillin

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Peptidoglycans**:
- Peptidoglycans are polymers made up of amino acids and sugar molecules. They form a crucial part of the bacterial cell wall.
- The structure of peptidoglycan is essential for the integrity and survival of bacterial cells.

2. **Role of Peptidoglycans in Bacteria**:
- The peptidoglycan layer provides structural support and determines the shape of the bacteria.
- Different bacterial species can be classified based on the characteristics of their peptidoglycan layer.

3. **Identifying the Antibiotics**:
- The question asks which antibiotic inhibits the polymerization of peptidoglycans.
- The options given are aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, rinine, and penicillin.

4. **Mechanism of Action of Penicillin**:
- Penicillin specifically targets the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer.
- It works by inhibiting the enzymes that facilitate the polymerization of peptidoglycan, which is essential for building and repairing the bacterial cell wall.

5. **Consequences of Inhibition**:
- When penicillin inhibits the polymerization of peptidoglycans, the bacterial cell wall becomes compromised.
- This makes the bacteria more susceptible to osmotic lysis, leading to cell death.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the understanding of how penicillin functions, the correct answer to the question is that penicillin is the antibiotic that kills bacterial cells by inhibiting the polymerization of peptidoglycans.

**Final Answer**: Penicillin

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