Question

There are a large number of antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis at 70s ribosomes found in bacterial cells but do not interfere with protein synthesis at the 80s ribosomes found in eukaryotic cells. Some of these antibiotics bind to the smaller ribosomal subunit and interfere with the reading of the mRNA code, whereas others bind to the larger ribosomal subunit and inhibit the formation of peptide bonds. Unfortunately, some of the antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis in bacteria exhibit some toxicity to the eukaryotic host cells as well. What is the most likely reason for this toxicity to the host cell?

A. These antibiotics interfere with DNA replication in eukaryotic cell nuclei.
B. These antibiotics bond to eukaryotic tRNA.
C. These antibiotics interfere with protein synthesis within eukaryotic mitochondria.
D. These antibiotics bind to eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosomes.
E. These antibiotics plug up the membrane transport mechanisms in eukaryotic cells.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. These antibiotics interfere with protein synthesis within eukaryotic mitochondria.

Explanation:

Eukaryotic mitochondria have 70s ribosomes and is made up of 50s and 30s subunits which has similarities to the ribosomes of bacterial cells. This likeness

at times causes antibiotics that ought to be toxic to bacterial ribosomes to cause some toxicity in eukaryotic cells instead.