Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
What cellular structure do antibiotics typically target in prokaryotic cells?
A
Nucleus
B
Chloroplasts
C
Ribosomes
D
Mitochondria
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that antibiotics are designed to target specific structures or functions in prokaryotic cells, which are different from eukaryotic cells.
Recognize that prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles like chloroplasts and mitochondria.
Identify that ribosomes are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, but they differ in structure and size between these two types of cells.
Learn that many antibiotics target the ribosomes in prokaryotic cells because they can inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial ribosome, which is different enough from eukaryotic ribosomes to avoid affecting human cells.
Conclude that the cellular structure typically targeted by antibiotics in prokaryotic cells is the ribosome, as this allows for selective inhibition of bacterial growth without harming the host's cells.