Question

Which is true of aminoglycosides?

1) They are bacteriostatic.
2) They irreversibly bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit.
3) They block peptidoglycan synthesis.
4) They are bactericidal.
5) They irreversibly bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit AND they are bactericidal

Answer 1

Aminoglycosides irreversibly bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit and are bactericidal, causing bacterial cell death through the production of defective proteins.

Step-by-step explanation:

The truth about aminoglycosides is that they are a class of antibiotics that irreversibly bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit and are bactericidal. These drugs function by binding to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, interfering with the proofreading process during protein synthesis. This interference leads to the production of defective proteins that can insert into the bacterial cell membrane and disrupt its integrity, ultimately leading to cell death. Aminoglycosides, which include streptomycin, gentamicin, neomycin, and kanamycin, are distinct from tetracyclines, which are bacteriostatic and block the binding of tRNAs during protein synthesis. Therefore, the correct statements are that aminoglycosides irreversibly bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit and they are bactericidal.