[Campbell Biology P.624] The text states that certain drugs destroy pathogenic bacteria by t... | Practice Question

The text states that certain drugs destroy pathogenic bacteria by targeting peptidoglycan, without adversely affecting human cells. This selective action is possible primarily because:

  • A: Human cells have a thicker peptidoglycan layer that is more resistant to these drugs.
  • B: Peptidoglycan is a unique component of bacterial cell walls, which is absent in human cells.
  • C: These drugs are designed to only enter bacterial cells, not human cells.
  • D: Human cells have a robust outer membrane that offers complete protection against such drugs.

Explanation

The text explicitly states: 'Such drugs destroy many species of pathogenic bacteria without adversely affecting human cells, which do not have peptidoglycan.' This highlights that peptidoglycan is a bacterial-specific component, making it an excellent target for antibiotics that spare human cells.