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Working in a laboratory producing new antibiotics for human and veterinary use

You are working in a laboratory producing new antibiotics for human and veterinary use.
One compound with potential value inhibits the action of prokaryotic ribosomes. The
compound, however, was shown to inhibit the growth of animal cells in culture. What is
one possible explanation for its effect on animal cells?

A research laboratory for a pharmaceutical company is studying environmental factors
that would inhibit the growth of Archaea. ,One question they have is, if adding of antibiotic
penicillin would be effective in controlling their growth? Explain, to the best of your
knowledge the probable results (what would occur) of an experiment in which penicillin is
added to a culture of Archaea?

Most medically used antibiotics interfere with either peptidoglycan synthesis or ribosome
function. Why do you think the cytoplasmic (cell) membrane would be a POOR target for
antibacterial medications?

Full Answer Section

Penicillin and Archaea:

Probable Results:
- Penicillin would likely have no effect on Archaea. Penicillin works by inhibiting the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a component of bacterial cell walls. However, Archaea do not possess peptidoglycan in their cell walls. Their cell walls are composed of other substances, such as pseudopeptidoglycan, polysaccharides, or proteins, or they may lack a cell wall entirely. Therefore, penicillin would not interfere with the structural integrity of Archaean cells.

3. Cytoplasmic Membrane as a Poor Antibacterial Target:

Reasons:
- Selectivity Issues:
  - Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have cytoplasmic membranes composed of phospholipid bilayers. Targeting the cytoplasmic membrane would likely damage both bacterial and human cells, leading to severe toxicity.
- Membrane Complexity:
  - Cell membranes are complex structures with various embedded proteins and lipids. Creating an antibiotic that specifically targets bacterial membranes without affecting human membranes would be extremely challenging.
- Resistance Development:
  - Bacteria can readily modify their membrane composition, making it easier for them to develop resistance to antibiotics that target the cytoplasmic membrane.
- Cellular viability:
  - The cell membrane is essential to the cellular viability of every living thing. Disrupting the cell membrane will cause the cell to lyse, and die. This is not specific to bacteria, and therefore is not a good target for antibiotics.
- In contrast, peptidoglycan is specific to bacteria, and the ribosomes of prokaryotes are different enough from eukaryotic ribosomes that antibiotics can be created to target them selectively.

Sample Answer

1. Prokaryotic Ribosome Inhibitor Affecting Animal Cells:

Possible Explanation:
- While the compound is designed to target prokaryotic ribosomes, animal cells also contain ribosomes within their mitochondria. Mitochondrial ribosomes, although distinct from eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosomes, share some similarities with prokaryotic ribosomes. Therefore, the compound might be affecting the mitochondrial ribosomes of animal cells, leading to inhibition of cellular growth. This is a common issue with some antibiotics, as mitochondria are thought to have evolved from ancient prokaryotes.