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Multiple Choice
Which of the following antibiotics does not bind to the 50S ribosomal subunit?
A
Chloramphenicol
B
Tetracycline
C
Clindamycin
D
Erythromycin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the function of the 50S ribosomal subunit: The 50S subunit is part of the bacterial ribosome, which is essential for protein synthesis. Antibiotics that target this subunit typically inhibit protein synthesis by binding to it and disrupting its function.
Identify antibiotics that bind to the 50S subunit: Chloramphenicol, Clindamycin, and Erythromycin are known to bind to the 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria.
Recognize the mechanism of action for Tetracycline: Tetracycline is an antibiotic that binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit, not the 50S subunit. It inhibits protein synthesis by preventing the attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal acceptor site.
Compare the binding sites: While Chloramphenicol, Clindamycin, and Erythromycin target the 50S subunit, Tetracycline targets the 30S subunit, making it distinct in its mechanism of action.
Conclude which antibiotic does not bind to the 50S subunit: Based on the binding sites, Tetracycline does not bind to the 50S ribosomal subunit, unlike the other antibiotics listed.