In: Biology
Many antibiotics work via selective toxicity. Explain how each of the following antibiotics is toxic to bacterial pathogens, but not* human cells. A) β-lactam drugs (such as penicillin, ampicillin, etc.) B) Sulfa drugs C) Tetracyclines
A) β-lactam drugs :-
β-lactam or β-lactamase inhibitor antibiotics are substances that disrupt bacterial cell-wall formation via penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) where they bind covalently at the terminal step of peptidoglycan cross-linking in bacteria .
B) Sulfa drugs :-
Sulfa drugs are bacteriostatic; i.e., they inhibit the growth and multiplication of bacteria but do not kill them. They act by interfering with the synthesis of folic acid (folate), a member of the vitamin B complex present in all living cells.
C) Tetracyclines :-
Tetracyclines preferentially bind to bacterial ribosomes and interact with a highly conserved 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) target in the 30S ribosomal subunit, arresting translation by sterically interfering with the docking of aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) during elongation.
*If you have any doubt write in comment box and i will solve it and if you are satisfied plz rate my answer...