Question

Oxytetracycline antibiotics inhibits :

• A. DNA synthesis
• B. Protein synthesis
• C. Carbohydrate synthesis
• D. Lipid synthesis

Hint:

Tetracyclines (including oxytetracycline) reversibly bind to the 30S ribosomal subunit to block aminoacyl-tRNA attachment, thereby inhibiting bacterial Protein Synthesis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Antibiotics act as selective toxic agents against bacterial cells by disrupting essential metabolic pathways, cell wall synthesis, DNA replication, or protein translation.
Understanding their biochemical mechanism of action is crucial for managing antimicrobial resistance.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Oxytetracycline is a widely used, broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic in veterinary medicine and aquaculture.
Its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis:
1. Upon entry into the bacterial cell, oxytetracycline binds reversibly to the 30S ribosomal subunit of the bacterial ribosome.
2. This binding blocks the attachment of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal "A" acceptor site.
3. Consequently, new amino acids cannot be added to the growing peptide chain, halting translation and preventing the synthesis of essential bacterial proteins.
This bacteriostatic mechanism prevents the reproduction and growth of the target bacteria, allowing the host immune system to clear the infection.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Thus, oxytetracycline antibiotics inhibit Protein synthesis.