Microbiology: An Introduction (13th Edition)
Microbiology: An Introduction (13th Edition)
13th Edition
ISBN: 9780134605180
Author: Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell R. Funke, Christine L. Case, Derek Weber, Warner Bair
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 20, Problem 1R

DRAW IT Show where the following antibiotics work: ciprofloxacin, tetracvcline, streptomycin, vancomycin, polymyxin B, sulfanilamide, rifampin, erythromycin.

Chapter 20, Problem 1R, DRAW IT Show where the following antibiotics work: ciprofloxacin, tetracvcline, streptomycin,

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To review:

Themode of action of given antibiotics in a bacterial cell.

Concept introduction:

The antibiotics can either act as a bacteriostatic (prevent growth of bacteria) or bactericidal (kill bacteria) agents. These drugs with a specific mode of action inhibits the essential biological processes of the target pathogen, including disruption of plasma membrane permeability, inhibition of cell wall, protein and nucleic acid synthesis, and inhibition of essential metabolites synthesis.

Answer to Problem 1R

Correct answer:

ANTIBIOTICSMODE OF ACTION
CiprofloxacinInhibition of the nucleic acid replication
TetracyclineInhibition of the protein synthesis
StreptomycinInhibition of the protein synthesis
VancomycinInhibition of the cell wall synthesis
Polymyxin BInjury to the plasma membrane
SulfanilamideInhibition of the essential metabolite synthesis
RifampinInhibition of the nucleic acid transcription
ErythromycinInhibition of the protein synthesis

Explanation of Solution

Diagram:

Microbiology: An Introduction (13th Edition), Chapter 20, Problem 1R

Explanation:

The mechanism of action of the given antibacterial drugs:

Ciprofloxacin – A broad spectrum of the bactericidal agent inhibits the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase and blocks DNA synthesis. The DNA gyrase is an essential enzyme which is specifically involved in the introduction of negative supercoiling.

Tetracycline – A broad spectrum of the bacteriostatic agent prevents the attachment of aminoacyl tRNA from binding to bacterial 30S ribosome. By binding to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosome, the tetracycline blocks the association of aminoacyl tRNA with the acceptor site.

Streptomycin – A broad spectrum of the bactericidal agent by acting on 70S ribosome inhibits the protein synthesis. It binds to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosome and disrupts the protein synthesis (initiation and elongation step).

Vancomycin – A broad spectrum of the antibacterial agent inhibits the assembly of cell wall of bacteria. The N-acetylmuramic acid (NAG) and N-acetylglucosamine (NAM) monomers are the the building blocks of peptidoglycan cell wall. By binding to NAG and NAM, the vancomycin prevents the action of transpeptidase enzyme which is involved in the cross-linking of peptidoglycan.

Polymyxin B – A broad spectrum of the bactericidal agent with a cationic detergent action disrupts the permeability of the plasma membrane.

Sulfanilamide – A broad spectrum of the bacteriostatic agent acts as a competitive inhibitor of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). The sulfanilamide with a similar chemical structure competitively prevents the action of PABA and inhibits the folic acid biosynthesis. This arrests the bacterial growth and ultimately results in the elimination of the bacteria.

Rifampin – A broad spectrum of the bactericidal agent specifically inhibits the function of RNA polymerase in the bacteria. Rifampin forms a stable complex with the enzyme, thereby inhibits its activity in the nucleic acid transcription.

Erythromycin – A broad spectrum of the antibacterial agent inhibits the protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial 50S ribosome. It inhibits the activity of peptidyl transferase and intervenes with the amino acid translocation and protein assembly.

Conclusion

The specific site of action of the given antibacterial agents, namely cell wall synthesis (vancomycin), protein synthesis (tetracycline, streptomycin, erythromycin), essential metabolite synthesis (sulfanilamide), nucleic acid synthesis (ciprofloxacin), nucleic acid transcription (rifampin), and plasma membrane integrity (polymyxin B) is shown.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Why do penicillins and cephalosporins have a higher therapeutic index than most other antibiotics?
Many antibiotics used in modern medicine are compounds made by fungi that inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Describe the specific effect of the following antimicrobial drugs: (i) Chloramphenicol (ii) Rifamycin
For each of the following antibiotics, give the spectrum, primary effect and briefly explain the mechanism of action:  1) Penicillins 2) Po1yrrryxin B 3) Vancomycin 4) Tetracyclins
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Essentials of Pharmacology for Health Professions
Nursing
ISBN:9781305441620
Author:WOODROW
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Curren'S Math For Meds: Dosages & Sol
Nursing
ISBN:9781305143531
Author:CURREN
Publisher:Cengage
Bacterial Infections in Humans; Author: Professor Dave Explains;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeFKAl9KyMg;License: Standard Youtube License