A nursing student asks the nursing instructor about the mechanism of the bacteriostatic action of tetracycline. Which explanation is correct?
"Tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis."
"Tetracycline blocks RNA synthesis."
"Tetracycline degrades the bacterial cell wall."
"Tetracycline binds to magnesium ions."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "Tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis."
Explanation: Tetracycline antibiotics interfere with bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial ribosomes. This binding prevents the attachment of transfer RNA (tRNA) to the messenger RNA (mRNA) complex, effectively inhibiting the production of proteins that are crucial for bacterial growth and replication.
B. "Tetracycline blocks RNA synthesis."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Tetracycline primarily affects protein synthesis, not RNA synthesis. It doesn't block the creation of RNA molecules in bacteria.
C. "Tetracycline degrades the bacterial cell wall."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Tetracycline antibiotics do not target bacterial cell walls. Agents like penicillins and cephalosporins are examples of antibiotics that disrupt bacterial cell walls.
D. "Tetracycline binds to magnesium ions."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Tetracycline does bind to certain metal ions, but it's not primarily through magnesium ions. The binding to bacterial ribosomes is a key mechanism of action for tetracyclines.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Bactericidal and bacteriostatic are used interchangeably.
This statement is incorrect. Bactericidal and bacteriostatic have distinct meanings in pharmacology and microbiology. Bactericidal means the drug kills bacteria, whereas bacteriostatic means the drug inhibits the growth of bacteria without killing them.
B. Bactericidal drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bacteriostatic drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death.
This statement is correct. Bactericidal drugs directly kill bacteria, leading to their death. Bacteriostatic drugs inhibit the growth of bacteria without causing their immediate death. Both types of drugs play different roles in the treatment of bacterial infections.
C. Bacteriostatic drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bactericidal drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death.
This statement is incorrect. It confuses the roles of bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs. Bactericidal drugs directly kill bacteria, while bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth without immediate cell death.
D. A bactericidal drug can cause death to the host, whereas a bacteriostatic drug only affects bacteria.
This statement is incorrect. Both bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs primarily affect bacteria, not the host. The difference lies in how they affect bacteria: bactericidal drugs kill bacteria directly, and bacteriostatic drugs inhibit their growth.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Neutrophils: Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune system's response to infections, particularly bacterial infections. They are not primarily involved in eliminating cancer cells.
B. Eosinophils: Eosinophils are another type of white blood cell. They are important in the immune response to parasites and are also involved in allergic reactions. While they have a role in the immune system, they are not the primary cells involved in eliminating cancer cells.
C. Platelets: Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are not cells but rather small cell fragments. They are essential for blood clotting and do not directly participate in the immune response against cancer cells.
D. Macrophages: Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that are involved in the immune system's defense against cancer. They are phagocytes, which means they engulf and digest cellular debris, foreign substances, and cancer cells. Macrophages play a crucial role in the body's immune surveillance and response against cancer.
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