Multiple Choice
Which of the following correctly matches the drug with its target?
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28. Antimicrobial Drugs
Inhibitors of Nucleic Acid Synthesis
Multiple Choice
How do drugs that inhibit nucleic acid synthesis (e.g., rifampicin & quinolones) differ from inhibitors of protein synthesis (e.g., tetracyclines & aminoglycosides)?
A
Protein synthesis inhibitors target specific enzymes, while nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors target bacterial ribosomes.
B
Protein synthesis inhibitors primarily target Gram-negative bacteria, while nucleic acid inhibitors only target Gram-positive bacteria.
C
Protein synthesis inhibitors typically do not interfere with nucleic acids, while nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors tend to bind to nucleic acids directly.
D
Protein synthesis inhibitors tend to be bacteriostatic, while nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors tend to be bactericidal.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the primary targets of each class of drugs: nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors (such as rifampicin and quinolones) primarily interfere with enzymes involved in DNA or RNA synthesis, while protein synthesis inhibitors (such as tetracyclines and aminoglycosides) target the bacterial ribosome.
Understand the mechanism of action: nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors often bind directly to DNA or DNA-associated enzymes (like DNA gyrase or RNA polymerase), thereby preventing replication or transcription, whereas protein synthesis inhibitors bind to specific sites on the bacterial ribosome to block translation.
Recognize the difference in bactericidal versus bacteriostatic effects: nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors tend to be bactericidal because they cause lethal damage to DNA or RNA processes, while protein synthesis inhibitors are often bacteriostatic, halting bacterial growth without directly killing the cells.
Consider the spectrum of activity: protein synthesis inhibitors can affect a broad range of bacteria by targeting ribosomes, which are present in all bacteria, whereas nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors may have more specific targets depending on the enzyme or process they inhibit.
Summarize the key distinction: protein synthesis inhibitors act on the ribosome to prevent protein production, while nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors act on nucleic acid-related enzymes or DNA itself to prevent replication or transcription.
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