Question

Which of the following antibacterial strategies is likely to be selectively toxic for bacteria, taking advantage of differences between bacterial and host cells?

A. Interfering with lysosomal function
B. Inhibition of fimbriae synthesis
C. Interfering with translation at 70s ribosomes
D. Inhibition of microtubule function

Answer 1

Interfering with translation at 70s ribosomes is the antibacterial strategy that is selectively toxic to bacteria due to the difference in ribosomal structure between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is interfering with translation at 70s ribosomes. This strategy exploits the structural differences between bacterial ribosomes and those of the host. Bacterial ribosomes are 70S, composed of 30S and 50S subunits, whereas eukaryotic ribosomes, including those of humans, are 80S, composed of 40S and 60S subunits. Antibacterial drugs that inhibit protein synthesis at 70S ribosomes, like aminoglycosides and tetracyclines, are selectively toxic because they specifically target bacterial protein synthesis without affecting the host's 80S ribosomes.

This precision presents a clear advantage in treating infections while minimizing damage to the host's cells. On the other side, strategies such as interfering with lysosomal function, inhibiting microtubule function, or inhibition of fimbriae synthesis do not offer the same level of selective toxicity since they could potentially affect host cellular mechanisms as well.