Which statement best describes how streptomycin attacks bacterial cells? View Available Hint(s) Streptomycin targets the peptidoglycan cell wall and causes osmotic lysis Streptomycin disrupts the bacterial cell membrane. Streptomycin targets the 70 S ribosome and inhibits protein synthesis Streptomycin inhibits DNA replication. Submit

Streptomycin is a powerful antibiotic that specifically targets the 70 S ribosome within bacterial cells, inhibiting protein synthesis. This action is crucial because proteins are fundamental for various cellular functions, and by disrupting their production, streptomycin effectively stifles bacterial growth and replication. In its historical context, streptomycin was the first antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis, discovered in 1943 by Selman Waksman. This groundbreaking finding not only paved the way for combating tuberculosis but also marked the beginning of the antibiotic era, saving countless lives and transforming public health.