How do B-Lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, affect bacterial cells?

B-Lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, work primarily by targeting and disrupting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. Bacteria rely on their cell walls for structural integrity and protection from environmental stress. Penicillin specifically inhibits the enzymes known as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) that are essential for cross-linking the peptidoglycan layers that make up the bacterial cell wall.

Inhibition of these PBPs leads to a weakened cell wall, rendering the bacteria unable to maintain their shape and stability. As a result, when the bacteria try to grow and divide, they are unable to withstand osmotic pressure, which can ultimately lead to cell lysis and death. This mechanism is particularly effective against actively dividing bacteria and is a key reason why B-Lactam antibiotics are so critical in treating bacterial infections.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary action of B-Lactam antibiotics. They do not enhance protein production, inhibit DNA reproduction, or disrupt membrane integrity, but rather focus specifically on the integrity of the cell wall, which is vital for bacterial survival.