Mechanism of action Act by inserting themselves in membrane forming pores Mechanism: make membrane more permeable, water pours into cytoplasm, cell begins to swell, and eventually bursts At very low concentrations(not enough to cause lysis), cell functions may be severely damaged. Slight perturbations of permeability cause: > Leakage of potassium ions needed for protein synthesis and cell viability >>Low levels inhibit phagocyte functioning BIOL 533 Lecture 9BIOL 533 19 Lecture 9 Mechanism of Action • Act by inserting themselves in membrane forming pores – Mechanism: make membrane more permeable, water pours into cytoplasm, cell begins to swell, and eventually bursts – At very low concentrations (not enough to cause lysis), cell functions may be severely damaged. Slight perturbations of permeability cause: » Leakage of potassium ions needed for protein synthesis and cell viability » Low levels inhibit phagocyte functioning