Question

Which one of the following statements is a correct description of modes of action of taxol and colchicine?

• A. Taxol causes DNA damage and colchicine prevents microtubule formation
• B. Taxol stabilizes microtubules and colchicine inhibits protein synthesis
• C. Taxol destabilizes microtubules and colchicine promotes microtubule formation
• D. Taxol stabilizes microtubules and colchicine prevents microtubule formation

Hint:

Taxol stabilizes microtubules, making them resistant to disassembly, while colchicine prevents their polymerization, both crucial for disrupting cell division.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the drugs.
Taxol and colchicine are both drugs that affect microtubules. Taxol stabilizes microtubules, preventing their disassembly, while colchicine prevents microtubule formation by binding to tubulin.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Taxol causes DNA damage and colchicine prevents microtubule formation: Incorrect — Taxol does not primarily cause DNA damage.
(B) Taxol stabilizes microtubules and colchicine inhibits protein synthesis: Incorrect — Colchicine does not affect protein synthesis, but microtubule formation.
(C) Taxol destabilizes microtubules and colchicine promotes microtubule formation: Incorrect — This is the opposite of their actual modes of action.
(D) Taxol stabilizes microtubules and colchicine prevents microtubule formation: Correct — This correctly describes the effects of taxol and colchicine on microtubules.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) Taxol stabilizes microtubules and colchicine prevents microtubule formation.