
Concept explainers
To review:
The term selective toxicity and its examples.
Introduction:
The compounds that are produced or obtained from a particular species of microorganisms and destroy or hinder the development of other pathogenic microbes are known as antibiotics. Antibiotics play an important role in increasing the life span of humans and animals. They have improved their health and provided resistance against various diseases.

Explanation of Solution
Selective toxicity refers to the capacity of an antibiotic to target a specific element of infection caused by microbial physiology. Selective toxicity denotes the efficiency with which the antibiotics treat or work against the microorganisms. It should have the potential to kill or inhibit the bacteria and also protect the host from infection or any harm. The principle of selective toxicity is viable as the physiology of microbe is different from that of eukaryotes.
Peptidoglycan is a bacterial antibiotic target that is not present in eukaryotic cells. The structure of the ribosome is distinct between bacteria and eukarya. Thus, penicillin as well as tetracycline, inhibit the growth of bacteria. They are unseen to host cells, as they do not interact with them at low doses. Another example is the inhibition of protein synthesis. The 50S (Svedberg unit) ribosomal unit is the target and the antibiotic used is chloramphenicol.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 27 Solutions
Microbiology: An Evolving Science (Fourth Edition)
- (A) 25 20 20 15 NPP (Mg C/ha/yr) 10 10 5 0 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 ECOLOGY 4e, Figure 20.11 (Part 1) 2017 Sinauer Associates, Inc. Average annual precipitation (mm) 8,000arrow_forwardexplain the cascade of events (starting with relaxing trade winds) that occurs during El Niño in the eastern Pacific (off the coasts of California/North America and Peru/South America) and which lead to food-chain collapse - start with changes in the physical/oceanographic conditions, andthen systematically describe the cascading effects at each level of the food chain -arrow_forward3) Which statement(s) about the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) is/are TRUE? CIRCLE ALL THAT APPLY. A. It is a major driver of salmon populations in the Pacific B. It affects sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific C. Its cycles typically do not last as long as those of ENSO D. Evidence that it has occurred over many centuries has been gathered from tree ring dataarrow_forward
- 4.arrow_forward2arrow_forward1. 2. 3. Marine fish cells are hypotonic compared to their seawater environment; their cells lose water by osmosis and gain solutes. If you add heterotrophic respiration and autotrophic respiration together and then subtract that value from gross primary productivity, then you have a more refined estimate of ecosystem carbon storage than NEE. Differential heating due to the earth's tilt generates the global wind AND oceanic circulation patternsarrow_forward
- Essentials of Pharmacology for Health ProfessionsNursingISBN:9781305441620Author:WOODROWPublisher:CengagePrinciples Of Radiographic Imaging: An Art And A ...Health & NutritionISBN:9781337711067Author:Richard R. Carlton, Arlene M. Adler, Vesna BalacPublisher:Cengage LearningCase Studies In Health Information ManagementBiologyISBN:9781337676908Author:SCHNERINGPublisher:Cengage
