Question

how do penicillin and similar antibiotics affect prokaryotic cells?
○ these antibiotics interfere with the action of prokaryotic ribosomes so normal protein synthesis cannot occur, resulting in cell death.
○ these antibiotics disrupt the formation of the cell wall so it cannot counteract osmotic pressure in a hypertonic environment, resulting in cell lysis.
○ these antibiotics disrupt the formation of the cell membrane so it cannot counteract osmotic pressure in a hypotonic environment, resulting in cell lysis.
○ these antibiotics disrupt the formation of the cell wall so it cannot counteract osmotic pressure in a hypotonic environment, resulting in cell lysis.
○ these antibiotics interfere with the action of prokaryotic ribosomes which disrupts proper cell membrane formation, resulting in cell death.

Explanation:

Penicillin targets peptidoglycan synthesis (cell wall component) in prokaryotes. In a hypotonic environment, water enters the cell; the intact cell wall resists swelling. Without a functional cell wall, the cell bursts (lysis) due to unchecked osmotic pressure. Other options are incorrect: ribosome interference is for antibiotics like tetracycline, cell membrane disruption is not penicillin's mechanism, and hypertonic environments do not cause water influx leading to lysis.

Answer:

These antibiotics disrupt the formation of the cell wall so it cannot counteract osmotic pressure in a hypotonic environment, resulting in cell lysis.