Question

Tetracyclines

A) disruption of cytoplasmic membranes
B) inhibition of cell wall synthesis
C) inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis
D) inhibition of metabolic pathways
E) inhibition of protein synthesis

Answer 1

Tetracyclines inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit and blocking tRNA from binding to the ribosome, specifically at the A site, preventing the elongation of the protein chain. The correct option is E) inhibition of protein synthesis

Step-by-step explanation:

Tetracyclines are a class of antibiotics known for their role in inhibiting protein synthesis in bacterial cells. These drugs achieve their antibacterial effect by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and blocking the binding of tRNA to the ribosome.

Specifically, tetracyclines obstruct the A site on the ribosome, which is crucial for the tRNA-carrying amino acids to bind and contribute to the growing polypeptide chain during protein synthesis.

Although these antibiotics can potentially affect eukaryotic cells, it is much less likely since eukaryotic cells lack a tetracycline uptake mechanism, which means they do not typically reach the concentrations necessary to inhibit protein synthesis within the host's cells. The correct option is E) inhibition of protein synthesis