Antibiotic drug classes/mechanisms

Question 1

Antibiotics are divided into 4 main classes:

Answer 1

Penicillins (β-Lactams)
Tetracyclines
Fluoroquinolones
Sulfas (Sulfonamides)

Question 2

Penicillins

Answer 2

inhibiting the cross-linking of amino acid production by deactivating enzyme responsible for linking them. This destroys their cell wall

Question 3

What type of bacteria are penicillins effective against?

Answer 3

Gram-positive

Question 4

Tetracyclines

Answer 4

bind to the 30s ribosomal subunit, block incoming tRNAs, from bringing in new amino acids, blocking protein production and protein synthesis

Question 5

Tetracyclines are effective against ________.

Answer 5

Gram-negative bacteria

Question 6

Fluoroquinolones

Answer 6

inhibit DNA gyrase, topoisomerase enzymes, which make DNA replication and transmission impossible

Question 7

Fluoroquinolones are effective against ___________.

Answer 7

Gram-negative bacteria

Question 8

Sulfonamides

Answer 8

Inhibit the synthesis of dihydropteroate synthase, an intermediate required for , folic acid biosynthesis. Folic acid, is an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in the nucleic acid synthesis but is acquired in humans through diet

Question 9

Sulfonamides are used against _________.

Answer 9

Gram-negative bacteria