The discovery of the antibiotic Penicillin in the 1920s made a big impact on human history. Not only did it provide a cure for bacterial infections that were once deadly, but it also led to a golden age in discovery of new antibiotics. The great benefit of these drugs is that antibiotics inhibit the growth of bacterial cells or kill them outright, and yet, on the whole, do not harm eukaryotic cells.
Answer BOTH of the following questions:
Given the following list of antibiotics and their targets, explain how each stops bacteria without harming human cells. Base your analyses on the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
Considering the targets of these antibiotics, explain why antibiotics in general would not be useful for treating a viral infection.
Explains how antibiotics stop bacteria growth without harming human cells.
Discusses each antibiotic and its target. (5 points for each antibiotic)
1) Penicillin; Blocks cell wall synthesis
2) Tetracycline; Blocks protein synthesis by binding to the 30S Unit of the ribosome
3) Chloramphenicol; Blocks protein synthesis by binding to the 50S Unit of the ribosome
4) Sulfonamides; Inhibits folic acid synthesis
5) Vancomycin; Blocks cross-linking of the peptidoglycan in the cell wall 25
Antibiotics and viruses Discusses why antibiotics in general would not be useful for treating a viral infection.
Supports the conclusion by commenting on the target of each antibiotic. 15
