Final answer:
Aminoglycosides are antibiotics that bind to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes and have a broad spectrum of activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that bind to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes, impairing the proofreading ability of the ribosomal complex. Examples of aminoglycosides include gentamicin, streptomycin, tobramycin, and neomycin. These drugs are effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Penicillins, on the other hand, target bacterial peptidoglycans and are effective against gram-positive bacteria. Although penicillins have some activity against gram-negative bacteria like Escherichia coli, aminoglycosides are generally more effective against gram-negative bacteria.
In summary, aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that bind to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes and have a broad spectrum of activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.