Penicillin kills bacteria by making them explode.

The claim that penicillin kills bacteria by making them explode is a simplified but essentially accurate description of the antibiotic's bactericidal mechanism. Penicillin belongs to the beta-lactam class of antibiotics that inhibit enzymes (transpeptidases) responsible for cross-linking peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govThe mechanism of action of penicillin. Penicillin acylates the active site of...ncbi.nlm.nih.govncbi.nlm.nih.govPenicillin - StatPearls This inhibition weakens the structural integrity of the cell wall.

Because bacteria maintain a high internal osmotic pressure, the weakened cell wall cannot withstand this pressure, leading to cell lysis or rupture, which can be described as 'exploding'.hhmi.orghhmi.orgHow Penicillin Acts Like TNT for Bacteriablogs.ncl.ac.ukblogs.ncl.ac.ukExploding bacteria for science!!! - ICaMBbiointeractive.orgbiointeractive.orgPenicillin Killing Bacteria The analogy to TNT or dynamite is used in scientific communication to illustrate this rapid and forceful rupture.hhmi.orghhmi.orgHow Penicillin Acts Like TNT for Bacteriahms.harvard.eduhms.harvard.eduDynamite for Bacteria

However, it is important to note that penicillin does not cause a literal explosion but rather a loss of cell wall integrity resulting in osmotic bursting. Some bacteria may survive due to resistance mechanisms or persister states.manoa.hawaii.edumanoa.hawaii.eduWeird Science: Penicillin and the Cell Wall Overall, the claim captures the core effect of penicillin on susceptible bacteria but uses metaphorical language that could be misunderstood if taken literally.