Question

How does erythromycin block protein synthesis in bacteria without harming its eukaryotic host?

• A. Prokaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles.
• B. Eukaryotic DNA is linear, while prokaryotic DNA is circular.
• C. In prokaryotes, translation can occur at the same time as transcription.
• D. There is much more space within a eukaryotic cell than within a prokaryotic cell.
• E. Prokaryotes have ribosomes that are much smaller and simpler than eukaryotes.

Answer 1

The correct option is E Prokaryotes have ribosomes that are much smaller and simpler than eukaryotes.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic that can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are target specific and can acts on simple and small cells like prokaryotes. When the erythromycin is injected into the host cell it penetrates the bacterial cell in host and bind with ribosome that blocks the protein synthesis and thus, inhibits there growth. Thus, the correct answer is option E.