2/10/2016 The Action of Antimicrobial Drugs Five Major Targets of Antibacterial Drugs Antimicrobial drugs target essential functions of the microbe ·Bactericidal -Kill microbes directly ·Bacteriostatic -Prevent microbes from growing -Host's immune system usually kills the pathogen 3. The Action of Antimicrobial Drugs Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis by .Inhibiting cell wall synthesis penicillin -Peptidoglycan is found only in bacterial cell walls. -Penicillins prevent the synthesis of peptidoglycan -Cell wall is weakened and undergoes lysis. lod-shaped bacleriu 2/10/2016 2 The Action of Antimicrobial Drugs • Bactericidal – Kill microbes directly • Bacteriostatic – Prevent microbes from growing – Host’s immune system usually kills the pathogen Five Major Targets of Antibacterial Drugs Antimicrobial drugs target essential functions of the microbe. The Action of Antimicrobial Drugs • Inhibiting cell wall synthesis – Peptidoglycan is found only in bacterial cell walls. – Penicillins prevent the synthesis of peptidoglycan – Cell wall is weakened and undergoes lysis. Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis by penicillin