Antimicrobial Drugs and Inhibitors

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What is the consequence of an allergy to penicillin?

A slight fever

A violent allergic response and death (correct)

A headache

A minor skin rash

Which category of antibiotics inhibits cell wall synthesis?

Aminoglycoside Antibiotics

Cephalosporins

Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

Glycopeptide antibiotics (correct)

What is the primary mechanism of action for Aminoglycoside Antibiotics?

Inhibiting peptide bond formation

Directly inhibiting protein synthesis and causing misreading of messenger RNA (correct)

Interfering with mRNA reading

Inhibiting aminoacyl-tRNA binding

What is the unique structural feature of Tetracyclines?

A four-ring structure Signup and view all the answers

What is the common feature of Macrolides?

A lactone ring linked to one or more sugars Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic is often used to treat acne?

Tetracyclines Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the rise in resistance to Vancomycin?

A great concern Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit?

Macrolides Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action for Cephalosporins?

Inhibiting cell wall synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the crucial feature of the penicillin molecule that is essential for bioactivity?

The β-lactam ring Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action of penicillins?

Blocking the enzyme that catalyzes transpeptidation Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of penicillin's mode of action on growing bacteria?

The lysis of bacterial cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in the mechanism of action of penicillins?

They bind to penicillins and prevent cell wall synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between naturally occurring penicillins and semisynthetic penicillins?

Semisynthetic penicillins have a broader spectrum than naturally occurring penicillins Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of adults in the U.S. who are resistant to penicillins?

1-5% of adults in the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the enzyme that is inhibited by penicillins, leading to the inhibition of cell wall synthesis?

Transpeptidase Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the activation of bacterial autolysins and murein hydrolases by penicillins?

The lysis of bacterial cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of bacterial holins in the mechanism of action of penicillins?

They stimulate the formation of holes in the plasma membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of Chloramphenicol?

Inhibits peptidyl transferase reaction Signup and view all the answers

Why are sulfonamides selectively toxic for many pathogens?

They compete with PABA for the active site of an enzyme involved in folic acid synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the common mechanism of action of Metabolic Antagonists?

Competitively inhibiting the use of metabolites by key enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of combining Trimethoprim with sulfa drugs?

To increase the efficacy of treatment by blocking two steps in folic acid pathway Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of Quinolones?

Inhibiting bacterial DNA-gyrase and topoisomerase II Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of sulfa drugs competing with PABA for the active site of an enzyme involved in folic acid synthesis?

Decrease in purine and pyrimidine synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the common feature of nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors?

They inhibit DNA replication and transcription Signup and view all the answers

Why is Chloramphenicol only used in life-threatening situations?

It has numerous side effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the structural feature of Sulfonamides?

They are structurally similar to PABA Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason antifungal drugs have low therapeutic index and are toxic?

They have similarity to eukaryotic fungal cells and human cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an antifungal drug that disrupts membrane permeability and inhibits sterol synthesis?

Acyclovir Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge in treating systemic mycoses?

They are difficult to control and can be fatal Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of amphotericin B?

Binds to sterols in membranes Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of fluconazole compared to other antifungal drugs?

It has low side effects Signup and view all the answers

What is the main mechanism of action of antiviral drugs?

Inhibiting synthesis of virus-specific nucleic acid Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using drug combinations in treating mycoses and viral infections?

They are more effective Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an antiviral drug that inhibits synthesis of virus-specific nucleic acid?

Acyclovir Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between treating superficial and systemic mycoses?

The ease of treatment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism by which antiprotozoan drugs exert their effect?

Disrupting NA synthesis Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that influences the ability of an antimicrobial drug to reach the site of infection?

Mode of administration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why microbes in abscesses or biofilms may be resistant to antimicrobial drugs?

They are growing slowly and are not susceptible to the drug Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of drug efflux as a means of resistance?

The drug is pumped out of the cell by the pathogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of resistance genes in nature?

Antibiotic-producing microbes Signup and view all the answers

How can resistance genes be transferred between bacteria?

Through horizontal gene transfer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why giving two or more drugs at the same time can help overcome drug resistance?

It targets different pathways in the pathogen, reducing the emergence of resistance Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential future solution to overcoming drug resistance?

Developing bacteriophage therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why spontaneous mutations in chromosomal genes can lead to drug resistance?

They result in a change in the drug target Signup and view all the answers