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Ch. 10 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial Drugs
Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBauman 6th EditionCh. 10 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial DrugsProblem 8
Chapter 10, Problem 8

Drugs that act against protein synthesis include ___________ .
a. Beta-lactams
b. Trimethoprim
c. Polymyxin
d. Aminoglycosides

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1
Understand the mechanism of action of each drug class listed in the options.
Beta-lactams (option a) inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis, not protein synthesis.
Trimethoprim (option b) inhibits folic acid synthesis, which affects DNA synthesis, not protein synthesis.
Polymyxins (option c) disrupt bacterial cell membranes, not protein synthesis.
Aminoglycosides (option d) bind to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, interfering with protein synthesis.
Therefore, identify the drug class that directly targets protein synthesis based on their mechanism.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mechanism of Action of Antibiotics

Antibiotics target specific bacterial processes to inhibit growth or kill bacteria. Understanding their mechanisms helps identify which drugs affect protein synthesis, cell wall synthesis, or other cellular functions.
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Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

These antibiotics interfere with bacterial ribosomes, preventing the production of essential proteins. Examples include aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and macrolides, which bind to different ribosomal subunits to block translation.
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Classification of Antibiotics by Target

Antibiotics are classified based on their cellular targets, such as beta-lactams targeting cell wall synthesis, trimethoprim inhibiting folic acid synthesis, polymyxins disrupting membranes, and aminoglycosides inhibiting protein synthesis.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Which of the following statements is false concerning antiviral drugs?

a. Macrolide drugs block attachment sites on the host cell wall and prevent viruses from entering.

b. Drugs that neutralize the acidity of phagolysosomes prevent viral uncoating.

c. Nucleotide analogs can be used to stop microbial replication.

d. Drugs containing protease inhibitors retard viral growth by blocking the production of essential viral proteins.

Textbook Question

Given that resistant strains of pathogens are a concern to the general health of a population, what can be done to prevent their development?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is most closely associated with a beta-lactam ring?

a. Penicillin

b. Vancomycin

c. Bacitracin

d. Isoniazid

Textbook Question

Multiple-drug-resistant microbes _____________________  .

a. Are resistant to all antimicrobial agents

b. Respond to new antimicrobials by developing resistance

c. Frequently develop in hospitals

d. All of the above

Textbook Question

A man has been given a broad-spectrum antibiotic for his stomach ulcer. What unintended consequences could arise from this therapy?

Textbook Question

Compare and contrast the actions of polyenes, azoles, allylamines, and polymyxin.

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