An antimicrobial that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis will result in which of the following?

• A. Formation of endospores
• B. Increased bacterial motility
• C. Lysis of bacterial cells due to osmotic pressure
• D. Enhanced protein synthesis in bacteria

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the role of the bacterial cell wall. The bacterial cell wall provides structural support and protects the cell from osmotic pressure, preventing it from bursting in hypotonic environments.
2. Step 2: Recognize what happens when cell wall synthesis is inhibited. Without a properly formed cell wall, bacteria cannot maintain their shape or resist osmotic pressure.
3. Step 3: Analyze the consequences of a weakened or absent cell wall. The bacterial cell becomes vulnerable to osmotic lysis because the cell membrane alone cannot withstand the internal pressure.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the other options given: formation of endospores is a survival mechanism unrelated to cell wall synthesis inhibition; increased motility and enhanced protein synthesis are not direct effects of cell wall disruption.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis leads to bacterial cell lysis due to osmotic pressure, as the cell wall is essential for maintaining cell integrity.