Question

Penicillin, an antibiotic that inhibits cell-wall synthesis, would be most effective in log phase. WHY? plz explain

Answer 1

Cells in the log phase are actively dividing cells. These cells are also actively synthesizing cell walls as the cell is giving rise to two new daughter cells. Penicillin inhibits last stages of cell wall synthesis. It inhibits transpeptidation reaction which form cross links in the wall giving it strength. In absence of crosslinks the wall weakens and cell become susceptible to lysis by osmotic pressure.

bacterial cells in log phase are actively synthesizing cell wall and are more susceptible to the action of cell wall synthesis inhibiting antibiotic.