Question

What are the different parts of a bacterial cell that are "attacked" or targeted by antimicrobial drugs? Give examples of antimicrobial drugs for each type of target in your answer.

Answer 1

Antimicrobial drugs target specific structures within bacterial cells such as the cell wall, cell membrane, protein synthesis machinery, nucleic acid synthesis, and unique metabolic pathways for selective toxicity, which prevents harm to human cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Antimicrobial drugs are designed to fight bacterial infections by selectively targeting specific parts of bacterial cells that differ from human cells. This concept is known as selective toxicity. The main bacterial structures targeted by these drugs include:

• The cell wall, which is essential for the bacterial cell's integrity. Penicillin, for instance, inhibits the synthesis of the cell wall.
• The cell membrane, where polymyxin B disrupts the membrane's structure leading to cell death.
• Protein synthesis machinery, such as ribosomes. Drugs like Tetracycline prevent bacteria from producing proteins.
• Nucleic acid synthesis, with drugs like Fluoroquinolones inhibiting DNA replication.
• Metabolic pathways that are unique to bacteria, such as Folic acid synthesis, targeted by Sulfonamides.

These targeted therapies are important since they minimize harm to human cells while effectively combating bacterial infections.