How do antibiotics primarily affect bacterial cells?

Antibiotics primarily affect bacterial cells by targeting specific functions within the bacteria. This ability to target unique aspects of bacterial cell structure and function is what makes antibiotics effective against bacterial infections while having minimal impact on human cells.

Many antibiotics operate by interfering with essential processes, such as cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, or metabolic pathways that are unique to bacteria. For instance, penicillin and related antibiotics inhibit enzymes involved in the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, leading to cell lysis and death. Similarly, other antibiotics may target ribosomes to impede protein synthesis, or they may disrupt bacterial DNA replication processes. This selective targeting is crucial as it allows antibiotics to eradicate bacteria without harming host (human) cells, which do not share the same structures or functions.

Understanding how these antibiotics specifically interact with bacterial processes highlights their role in modern medicine, particularly in treating bacterial infections.