GED Science TestLife ScienceEasy
A patient is diagnosed with a bacterial infection. The doctor prescribes an antibiotic that targets the ribosomes of the bacteria. Which cellular process will this antibiotic directly inhibit?
- ACell wall synthesis
- BDNA replication
- CATP production
- DProtein synthesis
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Protein synthesis
Ribosomes are the cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis. By targeting bacterial ribosomes, the antibiotic prevents the bacteria from making essential proteins, thereby inhibiting their growth and reproduction.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Cell wall synthesis is targeted by different classes of antibiotics, not those affecting ribosomes.
- B. DNA replication is carried out by enzymes like DNA polymerase, not ribosomes.
- C. ATP production primarily occurs in the cytoplasm and cell membrane in bacteria, not directly involving ribosomes.
Bacterial Ribosomes
Ribosomes are essential cellular components responsible for synthesizing proteins. Bacterial ribosomes differ structurally from eukaryotic ribosomes, making them a common target for antibiotics without harming human cells.
- Site of protein synthesis
- Composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins
- Prokaryotic (bacterial) ribosomes are 70S, eukaryotic are 80S
- Antibiotics often exploit this structural difference
Memory trick: Ribo-some proteins, some DNA, some ATP, some walls.