Final answer:
Physical and chemical agents that interfere with nucleic acids mainly affect protein synthesis by damaging DNA or RNA, halting cell replication, or causing the production of dysfunctional nucleic acids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical and chemical agents that interfere with nucleic acids affect protein synthesis. This is because these agents can directly damage DNA in the cell's nucleus or RNA, disrupting their replication. Damaged DNA or RNA may halt replication or lead to the production of non-functional nucleic acids that do not code for anything useful. Additionally, many drugs and antibiotics work by inhibiting protein synthesis, with some targeting prokaryotic cells specifically and others affecting both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Chemicals used to combat microbes may damage cell components through reactions with proteins and membranes or by disrupting various cellular processes, including the synthesis of the cell wall, nucleic acids, and metabolic pathways. Physical agents like heat, cold, and radiation also inactivate microbes by affecting molecular structures and functions.
Therefore, inhibitors that bind microtubules to the nuclear membrane, restrict chromosome separation or interfere with energy production can all disrupt cell division and protein synthesis, which are necessary for cell viability and reproduction.