How do antibiotics primarily affect bacterial cells?

Antibiotics primarily affect bacterial cells by disrupting specific processes within those cells. This can include interfering with the synthesis of essential components like cell walls, proteins, or DNA. For example, some antibiotics inhibit the enzymes involved in forming the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell lysis and death. Others may target protein synthesis by binding to bacterial ribosomes, hindering the production of crucial proteins necessary for bacterial growth and function.

The effectiveness of antibiotics largely relies on their ability to exploit differences between bacterial and eukaryotic cells, enabling selective targeting of bacterial processes without harming human cells. This selective action makes antibiotics critical in treating bacterial infections while minimizing side effects for the host organism.