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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not a target of drugs that inhibit protein synthesis?
A
Peptidyl transferase
B
Ribosomal RNA
C
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase
D
DNA polymerase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of each component in protein synthesis: Peptidyl transferase is an enzyme that forms peptide bonds between amino acids during protein synthesis. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a component of ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is an enzyme that attaches the appropriate amino acid to its tRNA, a crucial step in translation.
Recognize that DNA polymerase is involved in DNA replication, not protein synthesis. DNA polymerase is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands by adding nucleotides to a DNA template during cell division.
Identify that drugs targeting protein synthesis typically interfere with the function of ribosomes, tRNA, or enzymes directly involved in the translation process, such as peptidyl transferase or aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.
Consider the mechanism of action of common antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis, such as tetracyclines and macrolides, which target the ribosomal subunits or interfere with tRNA binding.
Conclude that DNA polymerase is not a target for drugs that inhibit protein synthesis, as it is not involved in the translation process. It is instead a target for drugs that inhibit DNA replication.