1) The measurement of cellular DNA is proportional to growth
2) The increase in protease suggests that protein synthesis is stopped
Questions
1) What bacterium did you use as your test organism? (2pts)
The test organism utilized in the study was Escherichia coli, as evidenced by the presence of a substantial zone of inhibition, indicating the manifestation of antibacterial activity resulting from antibiotic production.
2) What is the method of action of this antibiotic? (3pts)
The mechanism through which antibiotics impede bacterial growth is by hindering protein synthesis. This assertion is corroborated by the observation of elevated levels of protease, implying an interruption in protein synthesis.
3) Why does this antibiotic affects bacteria and not human cells? (3pts)
Antibiotics possess a specific affinity for bacteria and do not impact human cells due to various factors. Unlike bacterial cells, human cells lack cell walls. Moreover, antibiotics that obstruct protein synthesis can easily diffuse into bacterial cells but fail to impede protein synthesis in human cells since it occurs at a significantly higher rate. For instance, sulfonamides share a similar structure with para-aminobenzoic acid essential for folic acid synthesis. Although this compound can effortlessly penetrate human cells, it cannot enter bacterial cells. These inherent disparities between bacterial and human cells enable antibiotics to selectively target and act upon bacteria while leaving human cells unaffected.
4)
Reference(s):
Include at least 1 valid reference for your research in correct format (either APA or MLA) (2pts)
Brogden, K. A. (2005). Antimicrobial peptides: Pore formers or metabolic inhibitors in bacteria?
Nature Reviews Microbiology, 3
, 238–250.
Jenssen, H., Hamill, P., & Hancock, R. E. W. (2006). Peptide antimicrobial agents.
Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 19
, 491–511.
