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What cycle of translation do antibiotics normally target?

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Final answer:

Antibiotics commonly target the translation cycle of protein synthesis in bacteria, with tetracyclines and chloramphenicol inhibiting tRNA binding and peptidyl transfer, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Antibiotics target the cycle of translation during protein synthesis in bacteria. Specifically, tetracyclines are a class of antibiotics that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by blocking the association of tRNAs with the ribosome during translation, thus affecting tRNA binding to the ribosome

. Tetracycline accomplishes this by blocking the A site on the bacterial ribosome. Similarly, chloramphenicol interferes with protein synthesis by blocking peptidyl transfer, which in turn affects the growth of the protein chain. These actions render bacteria unable to synthesize proteins, which is crucial for their survival and proliferation.

Antibiotics, such as tetracyclines and chloramphenicol, target the process of translation during bacterial protein synthesis. Tetracyclines, a class of antibiotics, inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by preventing the association of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) with the ribosome during translation. This interference occurs by blocking the A site on the bacterial ribosome, disrupting the binding of tRNAs.

Similarly, chloramphenicol hinders protein synthesis by blocking the peptidyl transferase activity, a critical step in the elongation of the protein chain during translation. By inhibiting this enzymatic function, chloramphenicol disrupts the growth of the protein chain.

Both mechanisms effectively prevent bacteria from synthesizing proteins essential for their survival and proliferation. Targeting the translation process provides a potent strategy for antibiotics to selectively inhibit bacterial growth, highlighting the importance of understanding these specific interactions in the development of antimicrobial agents.

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