Final answer:
Neutrophil defensins are peptide antibiotics that help defend the body against pathogens by effectively destroying and removing them through membrane permeabilization and pore formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neutrophil defensins are peptide antibiotics. These are small antimicrobial peptides produced by neutrophils that play a crucial role in the innate immune response. Defensins are characterized by their ability to form intramolecular disulfide bridges, typically containing six cysteine residues. The structure of defensins allows them to permeabilize the membranes of pathogens, effectively resulting in the destruction and removal of those pathogens from the body. Neutrophil defensins target against negatively charged phospholipids and operate through mechanisms such as pore formation in the membranes of invading microorganisms.