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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.
Penicillin-Blocks cell wall synthesis
Tetracycline -Blocks protein synthesis by binding to the 30S Unit of the ribosome
Chloramphenicol-Blocks protein synthesis by binding to the 50S Unit of the ribosome
Sulfonamides-Inhibit folic acid synthesis
Vancomycin -Blocks cross linking of the peptidoglycan in the cell wall
Read this to enhance your understanding of the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: How do
antibiotics kill bacterial cells but not human cells?
Sample Solution
The post The discovery of the antibiotic Penicillin in the 1920s appeared first on acestar tutors.
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